Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, bilateral knee strain, allergies, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is denied. The right ankle sprain and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine are each rated at 10 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability was incurred during her period of active service, specifically her deployment in Kuwait.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are found to have had their onset in service and the claim for chronic bronchitis is dismissed. Service connection is granted for degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and extent of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not etiologically related to service and did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Board has remanded the claim for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, including as secondary to service-connected low back disability and/or bilateral knee chondromalacia. The issue of whether lumbosacral DDD is secondary to service-connected lumbosacral strain has also been raised.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent disabling from July 1, 2014 under the criteria for limitation of motion. The VA examiner found that the Veteran has limited flexion to 30 degrees and extension to 15 degrees, warranting a 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee injury is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities did not have their clinical onset in service or are otherwise related to active duty. The VA examinations provided clear opinions against the claims.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for service-connected posttraumatic left knee arthritis since November 30, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, excluding his mental health disability (PTSD), are as likely as not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board granted a separate schedular evaluation of 20 percent for the left knee instability and residuals of the service-connected left knee meniscectomy between February 1, 2009 and January 12, 2014.

The Board has determined that the evidence currently of record is sufficient to substantiate the Veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability, and thus no further development is required.

The Veteran's effective date for a 60% disability rating for left knee replacement is set at June 1, 2006, based on his symptoms and examination results from that time.

The Board found that there is no causal relationship between the Veteran's current left ankle and knee disabilities and his reported injuries during service. The examiner opined that these conditions are more likely due to many years of standing and walking.,There is no clear evidence of a pre-existing rickets condition, as the Veteran was presumed sound upon entry into service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right hip condition is secondary to his service-connected left knee disability and granted a 10 percent rating for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA medical examination and review of his claims file.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold percentage requirement to establish eligibility for TDIU, but his unemployability is being referred for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the condition is directly related to service.