Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to maintain gainful employment prior to March 12, 2015. The Board finds that the evidence does not present an exceptional case requiring referral for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for his right and left knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation based on current symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia patella, lateral release residuals and right knee instability were denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent from September 23, 2010 and December 26, 2013 respectively.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including degenerative arthritis and joint laxity, is currently rated at 10 percent. The claim for increased ratings remains denied as the evidence does not show that his conditions warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for consideration of new evidence, including a VHA opinion and the Veteran's arguments. The appeal will be returned to the Board after further action.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disorder and bilateral knee disorder, finding that the conditions were not incurred in active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination and obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Board found no evidence of a current right knee disability related to service, and the Veteran's cystic fibrosis is considered a congenital condition. The Board denied service connection for residuals of heat exposure as there was no currently diagnosed residual disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and low back disability, both secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran was not granted new evidence to reopen his left knee claim, and his low back disability was found not to be proximately due or the result of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection. The left knee extension rating is reduced to noncompensable, effective June 1, 2010. The right knee extension and instability ratings are maintained at 60 percent each, effective August 2009. The lumbar spine disorder is rated at 40 percent since December 2009.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for a low back disorder and granted it, finding that new evidence supports the claim.,Service connection was also granted for a left knee disorder as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for osteoarthritis of the right and left knees have been dismissed as he has requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his knee and PTSD claims, including obtaining medical records from a private chiropractor and arranging for VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is aggravated by his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The left knee disorder claim will be remanded as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance was denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria for such benefits.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each since February 4, 2013. The right hand disability has been granted a compensable rating.

The Veteran seeks increased ratings for his right knee disability and TDIU based on service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination, and refer the issue of TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) to the Director of Compensation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her low back disorder, right and left knee disabilities, and left hip arthritis. The Veteran was not granted service connection for sleep apnea or hypertension as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia patella has been manifested by complaints of pain and stiffness with flexion limited to 110 degrees at worst, and extension limited to 0 degrees at worst. The Board found that the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability and range of motion limitation, is currently rated at 10 percent under the appropriate diagnostic codes. The Veteran's painful or unstable scar on his left knee also warrants a separate 10 percent rating.