Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal of his claim for bilateral knee arthritis has been dismissed as he withdrew from the appeal in October 2017. The TDIU claim remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee arthritis is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records from the Bone and Joint Center.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his service personnel records, VA treatment records, and SSA disability benefits records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right knee and/or leg disability related to his period of active duty, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent for many years, and the most recent VA examination did not find any additional functional loss due to pain or other factors. The Veteran’s range of motion was within normal limits with no ankylosis.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess functional limitations during periods of flare-ups and discuss findings from November 2010 bone imaging.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed left knee degenerative arthritis is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities are related to service. The evidence is at least in equipoise regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee replacement is not productive of chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness, intermediate degrees of residual weakness, pain, or limitation of motion; or the functional equivalent thereof. Therefore, an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for status post left total knee arthroplasty, for the period from July 1, 2016, is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 8, 2012, and a rating in excess of 30 percent after May 8, 2012, for right knee medial collateral ligament strain with osteoarthritis based on limitation of motion was denied.

The Veteran's dermatitis was granted a 30 percent evaluation effective July 10, 2017. His ACL insufficiency and traumatic degenerative arthritis of the left knee were both rated at 20 percent prior to July 10, 2017, and increased to 30 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and any SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran will be notified of these actions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches, left knee injuries, and other conditions have been granted. The Veteran is also entitled to initial compensable disability ratings for his right elbow, left foot gout, and plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's disability ratings were reduced from 40 percent to 10 percent for lumbosacral paravertebral myositis, effective June 1, 2011. The reduction was found to be proper as there had been no actual improvement in the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anemia and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and determining Social Security Administration disability benefits.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and the obtaining of treatment records.

The Board dismissed all pending appeals due to the appellant's withdrawal of her appeal.