Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disorder did not have its onset during his active service, arthritis of the right knee did not manifest within one year of separation from active service, and his current right knee disability is not otherwise related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to evaluate the severity of his right knee disability, as the previous examinations did not include all required testing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for VA examinations regarding service connection claims for low back, right great toe, and right knee disabilities as well as headaches.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee condition with degenerative changes and mild chondromalacia was granted. The Board also found that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right knee is related to his service-connected left knee condition, granting secondary service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected ankle and knee disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis in either ankle, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee chondromalacia with an initial evaluation of 10 percent each, effective the day following the Veteran's separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for postoperative residuals of the right knee with degenerative joint disease prior to January 6, 1999 and from April 1, 1999 to December 11, 2011 is being remanded due to scheduling issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis was not incurred during her active duty or Reserve service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right knee disability, other than limitation of motion, which is evaluated separately under a rating for arthritis of the knee, has been manifested by complaints of locking twice per week with no instability noted in November 2016. The criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations have been granted. He is now entitled to a 10 percent evaluation for his left knee degenerative arthritis, effective from April 1, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip disability and bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board found that the claimant's right knee and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to service, thus denying her claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing and issuing a Statement of the Case regarding his claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess his bilateral knee disabilities, and addressing the impact of his service-connected conditions on his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis of the hands, knees, ankles, and feet was granted service connection based on its relationship to his service-connected rheumatic valvular heart disease. The heart disorder issue remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and left hip disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Landstuhl, Germany, and reviewing his private treatment records.

The Veteran withdrew from appeal all issues related to increased ratings for various knee and spine conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to evaluate his current right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his right knee disability, initially rated as 10 percent disabling prior to September 12, 2011, was granted. The effective date of this grant is December 15, 2010.,A temporary total rating for the Veteran's right knee disability, effective from September 12, 2011, and a permanent 30 percent disability rating were assigned on November 1, 2012. The effective date of this permanent rating is December 15, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher initial ratings were granted, with effective dates ranging from May 20, 2002 to April 15, 2004. The Veteran also received a new rating of 10% for her right knee chondromalacia.