Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left and right knee disabilities are related to his in-service injuries, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's right knee disability, dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, bronchial asthma, bilateral hip disability, left knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, back disability, neck disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder are not service connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of his low back and left knee disabilities, as he has reported that these conditions have worsened since his last examination.

The Veteran seeks service connection for multiple joint disabilities, including bilateral knee disability, bilateral shoulder pain, low back pain, and right side pain. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting right knee disorder was not permanently aggravated by service, and thus cannot be granted service connection for a right knee disorder. The claim for left knee disorder is also denied as there are no alternative bases of service connection.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the evaluations for thoracolumbar spine DDD and status post vertebral fusion with slight dextrorotoscoliosis, right knee retropatellar pain syndrome with osteoarthritis, right total knee arthroplasty, status post left total knee replacement, DJD right shoulder status post rotator cuff repair and pin replacement, and hypertension. As such, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for an increased rating for her service-connected right knee condition prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen several previously denied claims. The right ankle tibiotalar degenerative joint disease was rated at 20 percent, but no higher due to lack of ankylosis. The noncompensable scar rating remained unchanged.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, right hip, and right knee disorders are not service-connected as they are not related to his service-connected left knee disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for DDD of the cervical spine and arthritis of the left knee, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with the exception of his request for a TDIU rating. The left shoulder and low back disorders were rated at 10 percent each, while the left knee disorder received a staged rating from 10 to 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee arthritis and left patella recurrent dislocation, as well as his service connection claims for hypertension and a kidney condition.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, effective June 6, 2016. The appeal was granted for this rating.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating for the entire appellate period.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee strain has not been manifested by at least flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, extension limited by 15 degrees or more, ankylosis, dislocated semilunar cartilage, or impairment of tibia and fibula. Prior to December 2, 2010, the Veteran's service-connected left knee strain manifested as credible subjective complaints of instability.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, characterized as degenerative joint disease of the right knee and postoperative residuals of arthroscopic surgery. The condition is manifested by frequent episodes of 'locking', pain, and effusion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability and right knee disability are related to her period of active service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and diabetes mellitus due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.