Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is being remanded due to incomplete STRs and the need for an additional examination. The case will be returned to the Board once these requirements are met.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left knee has been evaluated at 10 percent since October 1987. The Board finds that her symptoms do not warrant a higher rating, and she is not entitled to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, but additional development is needed to fully assess the impact of these conditions on his ability to work.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (left knee, right knee, and right ankle) have been found to meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to November 22, 2014. The combined rating of these conditions is at least 70% during this period.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be decided, including a new VA examination to determine if any diagnosed lumbar spine, bilateral knee, or bilateral ankle disabilities are etiologically related to his active duty service and/or caused by his service-connected bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's post-operative residuals of right knee injury with traumatic arthritis were not found to warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to April 26, 2011. As of June 1, 2012, the disability was also not found to warrant a higher than 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and service connection were denied. His arthritis of the left knee with limited range of motion is rated at 10 percent, while his residuals of trauma and lateral meniscectomy of the left knee are rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for an extension of a temporary total evaluation for right knee disability beyond December 14, 2008 has been dismissed as moot due to the grant of a permanent TDIU rating effective December 15, 2008. The issue of an earlier effective date for TDIU is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right knee was incurred during service and is granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any elbow or knee disorder, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disabilities are not related to his service or any service-connected conditions, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or knee disabilities during service, and the preponderance of the evidence fails to establish a present disability as a result of service.,The Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis was not incurred in or caused by his service.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, which reflects limitation of motion to a flexion limited to 105 degrees and extension to zero degrees. The Board found no additional functional loss due to pain or after repetition.,The Veteran's DJD of the right fourth finger DIP joint has been ankylosed, warranting a noncompensable rating under Diagnostic Code 5227.,The Veteran's residuals of sphincterotomy have resulted in occasional rectal bleeding and leakage about two to three times per week. The Board found this not sufficient for a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining all relevant VA and private treatment records, providing addendum opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee, shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities, and considering the combined impact of his service-connected conditions on his occupational functioning.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disorders, including his diagnosed right knee strain, degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis, internal derangement, and bipartite patella.

The Board denied claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes, eczema, fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, GERD, back disability, and knee disability. The Veteran's claim for diabetes was reopened due to new evidence submitted after the December 2013 denial.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and meniscus tears with instability, warrants a 20 percent rating for the period prior to July 15, 2009. The claim for an increased rating for instability of the right knee is denied.

The Board denied higher initial ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine and right knee disabilities, but awarded separate 10 percent ratings for mild incomplete paralysis of the left and right sciatic nerve associated with the lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right AC joint degenerative arthritis, right knee laxity, right knee degenerative arthritis, and pes planus.