Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his right knee surgical scars and found that the reduction in his service-connected right knee instability rating from 10 percent to 0 percent, effective May 7, 2012, was not proper. The evidence did not support higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. The RO will also consider whether he has submitted a completed VA Form 21-8940 and address any related issues.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability. The right shoulder disability claim is denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability was granted a 30 percent rating effective August 26, 2014. The claim for restoration of the 20 percent rating for left knee instability is also granted.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent, the highest possible under Diagnostic Code 5258 for cartilage dislocation with frequent episodes of locking pain and effusion. The rating for hypertension remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the right knee strain was not separate from patella chondromalacia, which is already service-connected. For the hip issues, the Veteran did not meet criteria for a higher rating prior to November 12, 2015, but since then has met criteria for a 10 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a right ankle fracture and finds that the Veteran's current left hip, right knee, left knee, and back disabilities are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left foot and/or right ankle disabilities. The remaining issues have not been decided.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the TDIU was denied as there is no evidence of any earlier unadjudicated formal or informal claim prior to September 18, 2006 and no factually ascertainable evidence demonstrating entitlement to TDIU prior to March 24, 2010.

The case is being remanded for further development to obtain private treatment records related to the Veteran's back and knee disabilities. The issues of service connection, increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities are pending.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic neuropathy, and right total knee replacement are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The TDIU claim is also being referred for extra-schedular consideration.

The Veteran's current sleep apnea was incurred in service and is related to his symptoms during service.,Service connection for PFB, thyroid disorder, and sinus disorder are pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for mitral valve prolapse, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and alopecia areata were granted. His claim for an initial compensable rating for residual scarring from a right ring finger cyst removal was also granted.

The Board has determined that the earliest possible effective date for the award of service connection is April 20, 2012. The Veteran's claim was received on this date and he did not have a pending, unadjudicated claim prior to this date.

For the initial rating period prior to June 17, 2014, the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities have been manifested by painful motion with normal extension, at worst, limited to 100 degrees for each knee. For the rating period beginning June 17, 2014, the criteria for a disability rating of 50 percent for each knee have been met.,For the entire initial rating period on appeal, the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities have not been manifested by dislocation of the semilunar cartilage accompanied by frequent episodes of 'locking,' pain, and effusion into the joints.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia of the right and left knees were denied as there was no evidence of moderate recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, which is required for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and any current knee conditions are not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records. The right knee disability will be re-evaluated based on current symptoms and limitations.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, characterized by pain and limited motion, has been rated at 10 percent since December 22, 2015. The current rating is based on painful motion and functional loss.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a restoration of a 30 percent rating for limitation of right knee extension, effective February 1, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The issue on appeal is whether he should receive an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his left knee condition.