Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a right tibia fracture, a right knee disability (osteoarthritis), and a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and his right hip trochanter bursitis is also rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are not shown to warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability, including arthritis, did not manifest during service or within one year of separation and is not related to any incident in service. As such, service connection for a right knee disability cannot be established.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for instability of the left knee associated with degenerative joint disease was denied by the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee injury. The lumbar spine disability is considered unknown due to insufficient evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's status post bilateral above-the-knee amputations were not caused by his service, nor were they caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board granted a separate rating of 30 percent for instability of the left knee, effective from December 17, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and an examination, as well as consideration of new evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left leg and knee disability. The Veteran reported an injury in 1972 during service, which he believes caused his current back and left leg/knee disabilities. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for extension of a temporary total rating beyond April 2, 2011 based on the need for convalescence following surgery for total left knee replacement and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and compensation for hernia residuals due to incomplete examination reports, including conflicting findings regarding nerve involvement.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis, but denied service connection for scars on the arms and a disorder manifested by arteries in the legs. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Board has granted the Veteran's increased ratings for his service-connected DJD of the right and left knees with limitation of extension, effective from December 10, 2009. The TDIU rating remains in effect.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and right knee disability as secondary to the left knee disability, as well as his claim for TDIU due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back, left knee, and left ankle disabilities were not shown to have had onset during service or within one year after active service. The current disabilities are unrelated to active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied across the board. The Board found that none of his service-connected conditions met the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracic spine disability is denied. His left knee and right knee disabilities are granted with increased ratings, while his service-connected lumbar spine disability remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine the current severity of his right long and ring finger fractures and bilateral tinea pedis disabilities. The appeal is also remanded for a VA examination to determine if any current knee disability is due to service.

The Veteran's service-connected retropatellar pain syndrome of the right and left knees has not met the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.