Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis with total knee arthroplasty and left knee osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied increased ratings for right knee disability and left finger disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptoms or limitations.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities warrant a rating of 20 percent for arthritis and frequent locking, pain, and effusion into the joint, as well as a separate rating of 10 percent for lateral instability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for a sleep disorder and the current severity of the Veteran's left knee, right knee, and left foot disabilities. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied higher ratings for painful and limited motion of the right and left knees, but granted separate 10 percent ratings for instability and subluxation in both knees.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and development of evidence related to his right knee disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for bilateral knee disability, bruxism (TMJ), migraine/headaches, tinnitus, and a gastrointestinal (GI) disability as they are related to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The RO denied service connection for hypertension, migraine headaches, right and left knee arthralgia, right and left wrist pain, sinusitis, and residuals of fracture, right leg based on findings that no current disability was shown.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examinations and records, as well as further development of the claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a hearing and obtaining an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and increased rating for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome were denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of hypertension, and the Veteran did not have a compensable disability at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease and obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and TMJ disorder are service-connected. The Veteran is granted initial ratings of 10 percent for these conditions.

The Veteran sustained a right knee fall as a result of instability following her total knee replacement, which was not reasonably foreseeable. The Board finds that the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are met.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and is dismissed due to the withdrawal of his claims by his representative.

The Veteran's DJD of the left knee is currently rated at 30% from October 1, 2015. The claim for an extension of a temporary 100% rating for DJD of the right knee post total knee arthroplasty with patellar resurfacing beyond July 31, 2013 is moot.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be decided on their merits.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records and requests for private medical records.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the failure to schedule an examination and obtain relevant records.

The Veteran's left knee disability, diagnosed as osteomalacia, has been rated at 40 percent since June 15, 2012. The rating is based on the current functional limitations and arthritis in the joint.