Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of additional disability warranting an increase beyond the current assigned ratings.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current right knee conditions are related to service, and therefore grants service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and right hip disabilities are secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. As a result, these conditions have been granted as secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and reschedule the Veteran for an examination regarding his right knee disability. The claim will be adjudicated again after obtaining these records.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right knee disorder, which he asserts was incurred during service or is secondary to his service-connected left knee and/or bilateral ankle disabilities. The Board finds that a remand is necessary in order to obtain a new VA examination with an etiological opinion as to direct service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral CTS and knee disabilities are rated at the lowest possible levels, with no evidence of more than mild impairment in either wrist or knee. The Board finds that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to her military service, and therefore denies all claims for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee and low back disabilities were not incurred during active service, including periods of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA. The current diagnoses are not related to service.

The Board found no evidence of a pre-existing bilateral knee disorder and concluded that the Veteran's current condition did not manifest during service. The most recent VA examination indicated that his current condition began in 2005, which is after his periods of active duty.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities. The claims of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability, increased rating for left knee disability, and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board found that the reduction from 20% to 10% for left knee traumatic arthritis and from 20% to noncompensable for left knee subluxation was proper based on evidence showing sustained improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to incomplete records and for further development. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation with dilated right atrium and ventricle, reduced function; diabetes mellitus, type II; bilateral lower extremity peripheral vascular disease; and bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, preclude his substantially gainful employment effective December 15, 2009.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the denial of service connection for a right knee disorder. The claim for reopening of the psychiatric disorder was reopened, but the increased rating for scarring secondary to an in-service hernia repair remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and providing the Veteran's appointed representative an opportunity to review her claims folder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records. The claims for multiple myeloma and left knee disorder will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and his right knee disability is also rated at 20 percent. Both conditions are rated under the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a chip fracture at L5 level with traumatic arthritis of the thoracic spine have not resulted in ankylosis, and thus do not warrant a higher rating.,Degenerative joint disease of the left knee has been productive of flexion limited to 120 degrees and extension limited to 5 degrees. The Veteran's right knee has had limitation of motion to 100 degrees of flexion and 5 degrees of extension, which do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right knee has also been productive of flexion limited to 100 degrees and extension limited to 5 degrees. The Veteran does not have additional functional loss due to pain or other factors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold criteria for a TDIU as his combined disability rating is only 60 percent, which does not exceed the required percentage of 60 percent or more. The Board finds that he does not meet the eligibility requirements for a schedular TDIU.