Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on current evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, effective from January 10, 2007. His CAD is rated at 60 percent, shell fragment wound to the left lower extremity at 30 percent, scars with retained fragments on the right temple and occiput at 30 percent, and scars of the left foot, left knee and lower leg (right amputation stump) at 10 percent. The Board has granted TDIU effective from January 10, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disability, neurologic abnormality of the left upper extremity, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, lumbar strain, and cervical spine disability have been granted. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's service-connected right leg disability aggravated his claimed left knee and back disorders, as well as if his back disorder is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his left knee disorder.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the reduction in the rating for his right knee posttraumatic arthritis from 40 to 10 percent, effective February 1, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for a Board hearing. The main issue remains the rating of his right knee bursitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder, including osteoarthritis, is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea, bowel dysfunction, cervical spine disability, thoracic and lumbar degenerative disc disease with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and left knee disability were not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection have been granted, with a specific focus on his left knee post-operative residuals with arthritis and right knee disorders. The Veteran was awarded a 60% rating for both the left knee replacement and total right knee replacement effective as of September 1, 2014, and December 1, 2015 respectively.

The Veteran seeks an increased disability rating for his service-connected left knee chondromalacia patella, status post reconstruction. The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current chondromalacia of the left knee and right knee disability are not related to his National Guard service, and have denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain a VA examination and opinion regarding the relationship of his current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and to ensure all necessary development has been completed.

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the Veteran's current right knee disability and his service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for an award of TDIU prior to his knee replacement surgery, and from the period beginning January 1, 2017. The case is referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's right and left knee conditions are currently rated at 30 percent each, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board finds that there is no evidence of ankylosis, recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, cartilage damage, or tibia and fibula impairment to warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee pain and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's other claims for joint pain, brain tumor, shoulder condition, and heart condition are not addressed as they are combined with the reopening of the knee pain claim.

The Board found no evidence of a right knee injury during service and concluded that the Veteran's current right knee disorder is not related to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knee, finding that her current disability is related to active service.