Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the left shoulder, right knee, and left knee. The Veteran's current diagnoses align with his reported symptoms since service separation.

The Veteran's right knee disability, prior to September 1, 2010, did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent. Since November 1, 2011, his disability has been rated at 30 percent due to residual weakness and pain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his conditions did not warrant higher evaluations or additional benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthralgia is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder is secondary to his service-connected Morton's neuroma of the right foot. The Board also found that there is no evidence of a current right or left knee disorder, and arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at the maximum schedular level of 50 percent, effective September 27, 2012. The right knee disability was also granted a higher evaluation to 20 percent effective October 2, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hemorrhoids, right knee chondromalacia, and loss of strength in his hands are related to service. However, chronic fatigue syndrome was not found during the appeal period.

The Veteran's post-operative residuals, torn medial meniscus, right knee was rated 20 percent for more than five years and reduced to 0 percent effective December 1, 2009. The RO recharacterized the right knee disability as status post right knee arthroplasty (previously rated as degenerative joint disease, right knee) and increased the rating to 100 percent effective February 27, 2013, with a rating of 30 percent assigned from April 1, 2014.,The Veteran's post-operative residuals, torn medial meniscus, right knee was restored to a disability rating of 20 percent for the period from December 1, 2009, to February 27, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with increased ratings for various disabilities and a TDIU. The effective dates are not specified.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review it.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his service-connected osteoarthritis, left knee, and total left knee replacement. The low back disability claim remains pending as an addendum opinion is needed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee strain and left hip strain as secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability. The effective date is not specified, but a rating of 10 percent has been assigned.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for an SOC addressing his claim for additional reimbursement under the FMP for medical treatment/services rendered in Poland.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral elbow, hand, knee, and back disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee condition, diagnosed as tendonitis, is primarily manifested by complaints of pain and some clicking and popping. The VA examiner found no limitation in range of motion or functional loss due to the condition.

The Veteran's lumbosacral and cervical spine conditions, as well as his bilateral knee injuries with chondromalacia, are currently rated at the lowest possible initial disability ratings of 10 percent. The Board finds that these disabilities do not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent for limitation of flexion since October 14, 2014. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on extension or instability.

The Board has remanded the case for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 3.321(b)(1).

The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to February 20, 2008 and a rating in excess of 30 percent from April 1, 2009 forward.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a left knee disability due to inadequate examination reports and opinions. The Veteran's service connection claim will be further evaluated with additional evidence and an updated medical opinion.