Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome has been rated at 10 percent since July 21, 2015. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability was increased to a 30 percent rating effective July 21, 2015.,Both conditions have remained stable and continue to be rated under the appropriate diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to June 8, 2009 is not warranted for the grant of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, right knee, left knee, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the provision of copies of recent SSOCs to his representative.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disorder and bilateral knee disorder were denied. For the period on appeal prior to September 3, 2013, his claim for an increased rating for lumbar DJD and DDD was also denied. His claim for a compensable rating for pes planus was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, to include allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, did not have its onset during active service or is otherwise related to service. The claim for a left knee disorder was remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of left total knee arthroplasty and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran is entitled to a rating of 60 percent for residuals of a right total knee arthroplasty from December 1, 2010.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU since January 13, 2003, due to his service-connected disabilities making him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to February 19, 2010 for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU). The appeal is dismissed as moot because the Veteran was already in receipt of maximum benefits during the period from December 19, 2005 through January 31, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders are not related to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ring finger scar and a left knee disability, both related to the Veteran's active duty training (ACDUTRA) in the Marine Corps. The maximum rating of 10% is assigned for each condition.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with recurrent subluxation. The claims of service connection for a left foot disability and right foot disability were denied.

The Veteran's appeals were granted, with increased ratings for PTSD and ankle disabilities. The right ear hearing loss was rated as noncompensable, but the effective dates for service connection of diabetic neuropathy in both lower extremities are being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 40% disability rating, effective from May 28, 2002. The Veteran's claims for residuals of fracture to the left zygomatic arch and left knee tendonitis were denied as not supported by evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records from the Veteran's December 2014 surgery and considering a temporary total evaluation based on surgical or other treatment. The claim will be readjudicated with consideration of Diagnostic Code 5055 by analogy.

The Board found that the preexisting right knee condition did not worsen during the period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in August 1970, and thus denied service connection.

The Veteran's claim for reentrance into an independent living services program, including the purchase of a massage chair, desktop computer, desk, and recumbent exercise bicycle was denied as his conditions did not warrant such benefits.

The Veteran's left knee disability, posttraumatic arthritis status-post total knee replacement, has not been shown to meet the criteria for a higher initial rating of more than 30 percent as of April 1, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for instability associated with impairment of the left knee was denied.,A separate 10 percent rating for limitation of flexion of the left knee was granted effective July 25, 2000.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for limitation of extension of the left knee was denied.,An earlier effective date for service connection for limitation of motion was granted.

The Veteran's increased ratings for his knee disabilities were denied, while he was granted compensable ratings and a separate rating for right knee laxity.