Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination of the Veteran's left knee. The claims will be readjudicated after this development is completed.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, and a new VA examination to evaluate the current severity of the Veteran's left total knee replacement.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his scar, status post medial meniscal repair, left knee was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show one or more unstable or painful scars warranting a higher disability rating under DC 7804.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records. The claims for service connection for diabetes, bronchitis (presumed exposure), right knee disorder, heart disorder, and bronchitis are pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of right knee strain, to include as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, is denied. The VA examiner found no current diagnosis for the claimed right knee condition and did not provide an opinion regarding aggravation by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings remain on appeal. The RO must consider all of the evidence received since the issuance of the May 2015 supplemental statement of the case and issue a rating decision to implement the grant of an increased disability evaluation of 10 percent for the service-connected multi-level degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and a 20 percent disability for the anterior reconstruction and arthroscopic surgery of the left shoulder, effective April 23, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and right knee meniscus tear are not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by limited extension and joint locking, is currently rated at 40 percent since September 25, 2013. The appeal for a higher rating has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for Degenerative Joint Disease of the right knee with an effective date earlier than April 29, 2008. The appeal is remanded to determine if the Veteran called VA in November 2001 to change his address.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a disability of the right leg, including osteoarthritis of the right knee, linked to disease or injury incurred or aggravated in active service. The rating for the right fifth metatarsal fracture was granted but at a lower level than initially requested.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to her service-connected lumbar spine and left knee disabilities, and thus cannot be granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right leg radiculopathy and left knee strain are related to his service-connected low back disability, and thus service connection is granted for these conditions.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorders did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and are not etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have been rated based on limitation of motion. The claims for increased ratings are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's right and left knee instability warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability prior to June 1, 2011 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of cervical spine, lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and left ankle did not have its onset during service or is otherwise causally related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to a 90 percent disability rating, rendering him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for right knee chondromalacia patella and degenerative joint disease, as well as secondary service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease to a service-connected disability (right knee).

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right knee and left knee are granted as secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and hip disability are also granted as secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus.