Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, and his distal amputation of right great toe and laceration injury does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Both disabilities are rated under the appropriate diagnostic codes based on their current manifestations.

The Veteran's right knee PFS does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and his left knee disorder is not service-connected or secondary to his right knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee retropatellar pain syndrome was rated at 10 percent prior to January 26, 2009 and at 60 percent from March 1, 2010. The Board found that a higher rating of 20 percent for the period prior to January 26, 2009 is warranted based on episodes of pain and repeated effusions, while a higher rating in excess of 30 percent or separate ratings are not warranted due to lack of evidence of flexion limited to 15 degrees or extension limited to 20 degrees. The Veteran's left eye toxoplasmosis of the retina was rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claimed joint pain, calcaneal spurs, bilateral degenerative joint disease of the first metatarsophalangeal joints, knee strain and right elbow epicondylitis are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his military service. The Board finds that these conditions were diagnosed after discharge from service.

The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia has been rated at 20 percent since November 1992. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.

The case is being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including addressing the issue of aggravation of a right lower-leg disorder by service-connected left tibia fracture residuals.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service-connected right ankle disability did not warrant a higher rating during the periods specified.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle and knee disabilities are related to his in-service ACDUTRA injury, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be at least as likely as not related to active service, and the claim for service connection for this condition is granted. The claims for bilateral eye disability and right knee disability are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for treatment at Capital Regional Medical Center on December 4, 2011 are approved because the condition was of such a nature that a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected delay in seeking immediate medical attention to be hazardous to life or health and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbar spondylosis with intervertebral disc syndrome, radiculopathy of the right sciatic nerve, osteoarthritis of the right knee, and right knee instability are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records potentially pertinent to these matters.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders are related to his military service.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a current right leg, hip, or knee disorder related to the Veteran's active duty service. The appeals for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back strain, right knee strain, and patella-femoral syndrome of both knees are related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee DJD is rated at 10 percent, and he is also entitled to a separate 10 percent rating for symptomatic removal of the semilunar cartilage. The higher ratings are not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examinations and failure to provide adequate reasons and bases for denial of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for clarification of the VA physician's opinion in his discharge application and consideration of CUE in the July 2012 rating decision regarding service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current level of disability of her right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from maintaining substantial gainful employment since April 10, 2007. The Board grants an effective date of April 10, 2007 for the grant of TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder is not related to his service or a service-connected condition, and therefore, denied service connection for this condition. The initial compensable disability evaluation claim for tarsal tunnel syndrome remains pending.