Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee with early osteoarthritis of the medial compartment is granted, as it was initially denied in December 1991 and later reopened on November 30, 2007.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for additional development to include a request for updated VA medical treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, right shoulder disorder, right ankle disorder, patellofemoral pain syndrome with mild patellar subluxation of the left knee, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include posttraumatic stress disorder), and contact dermatitis. The VA examiner found that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence to show that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction existed prior to service, but opined that it was less likely than not incurred in or caused by his period of active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and left knee disabilities are related to his active military service, granting his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, including difficulty maintaining effective work and social relationships. The VA assigned a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD as of June 21, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, which became 100% disabling on November 7, 2011, precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to that date. However, his other service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to their combined effect.

The Veteran's increased ratings for her left knee chondromalacia patella and right knee meniscal tear with osteoarthritis were granted, but the rating for the latter condition was increased to 20% effective May 4, 2012.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by chondromalacia and degenerative joint disease, has been rated at 10 percent since November 15, 2007. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any period.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as the Veteran's military personnel file.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle/foot, right knee, and left knee disorders are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased rating claims have been denied. The Board found no current bilateral hearing loss disability, and the low back disability was not shown to be related to service or due to any other compensable factor.

The Board finds that the reduction from a 20 percent to a 0 percent disability rating for right knee instability, effective November 1, 2009, was proper based on evidence showing improvement in the condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and acquired psychiatric disorders. The right knee disability claim was also denied. Service connection is not granted for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that none of the Veteran's claimed disabilities began during service or are related to service in any other way.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, characterized by pain and mild degenerative changes, did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and granted a rating of 30 percent for right total knee replacement, effective from April 2003 to June 1, 2004. The Veteran's left knee disability is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service records and to provide a VA examination for his claimed psychiatric, knee, and low back disorders.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees and a low back disability as secondary to bilateral knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.