Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability. The issues on appeal are service connection for a left hip disability and service connection for a left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The VA determined that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as they are rated under Code 5010 for traumatic arthritis. The evidence does not support additional compensable ratings based on limitations of flexion or extension.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for her service-connected left knee disability, DJD and post-total knee replacement, was denied. The claims were not about service connection at all.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in unemployability since May 11, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing and considering extraschedular rating and TDIU issues.

The Board granted a rating of 10 percent for arthritis of the right knee with chondromalacia and denied TDIU prior to August 20, 2010.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 40 percent since December 1, 2012 based on limitation of extension to 25 degrees. The appeal was denied as the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Veteran is granted service connection for arthritis of the right knee, as it is presumed to have been incurred during active service due to multiple parachute jumps. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise on whether the Veteran experienced continuous symptoms since service separation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disorder, which is now granted. The low back disorder was also found to be related to service.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's right hip and left hip disorders as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a disability rating are being remanded due to incomplete development. The cervical spine disorder claim will be addressed after an examination, while the left knee sprain and fractures of the left foot need additional consideration.

The Board denied increased ratings for retropatellar pain syndrome of the right and left knees, finding that there was no evidence of limitation of motion or instability warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional records and a completed VA Form 21-8940 application.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since June 24, 2007. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the functional loss due to pain and other factors.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the left knee, bilateral foot disorder, arthritis of both hands, and a disability manifested by burning and dry eyes as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including psychiatric disorders and musculoskeletal conditions.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is found to be etiologically related to a disease, injury, or event that occurred during service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to evaluate his right knee and left heel conditions.

The Veteran's left leg disorder and throat and neck cancer were not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service.,He did not have any service-connected disabilities at the time of his death, which is a requirement for SMC.