Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar herniated disc and right hip disability, both found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left foot disability. The remaining claims of service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and left hip disability are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected post-operative left knee ligament repair and residuals of left total knee arthroplasty are not currently rated higher than the assigned levels due to the current manifestations of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have service in Vietnam and, therefore, is not entitled to presumptive service connection for any conditions based on herbicide exposure. The claims of service connection for various disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is not related to his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back disability and right knee disability. The Board finds that these disabilities are related to service, with the onset occurring during active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, back, neck, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board finds that there is no medical evidence to support a link between the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities and his active service. The in-service diagnosis of patellofemoral pain syndrome did not result in any chronic disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee degenerative joint disease is not service-connected as it did not result from an in-service aggravation of his pre-existing right leg condition.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as separate ratings for instability of both knees, since September 13, 2013.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and right knee disabilities did not manifest within a year of separation from service, or are otherwise etiologically related to active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee patella chondromalacia and medial joint degenerative joint disease are related to his active military service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for left knee arthritis and hypertension are being remanded due to incomplete VA examination opinions. The Board will seek additional opinions from VA physicians to determine if the conditions are related to service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a right knee disorder and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status. The case is being remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected diabetes mellitus and any chronic right knee disability, as well as whether he meets the criteria for SMC.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant private treatment records and securing VA examinations to address his claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for earlier effective date and increased rating for right leg sciatic sensory neuropathy with right ankle motor weakness, as well as service connection for bilateral hip and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's right and left knee prostheses have been granted a 60 percent rating each, effective January 10, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, consideration of new evidence, and clarification on the relationship between his current disabilities and service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was rated at 20 percent prior to December 10, 2014. After a review of the evidence, including VA examinations and treatment records, the Board found that his symptoms warranted a higher rating up to 50 percent (less the 10 percent preservice percentage). The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted a 40 percent rating effective December 10, 2014.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by arthritis and instability, is currently rated at 10 percent. The rating has been granted for the entire appeal period.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current right and/or left knee disability, as well as whether it is at least as likely as not related to service. The Veteran's testimony regarding injuries sustained during service will be considered in this assessment.