Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee infection following total left knee replacement surgery is not considered to be the result of VA medical treatment, and therefore compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder. The appeal is granted.

Service connection has been granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder related to service-connected lumbar spine disability.,No new evidence was provided for the increased rating of pseudofolliculitis, so the current rating remains in effect.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is now rated at 40%, effective January 3, 2012.,Right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted increased ratings to 20% each.,No new evidence was provided for the TDIU claim, so it remains pending.,The effective date for the 40 percent rating of lumbar spine disability is January 3, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new examination to evaluate the current severity of his service-connected left knee disorder. The case will be returned to the Board for readjudication.

The Veteran's right knee disability is service connected as secondary to his left knee and right hip disabilities. His left knee disability remains at a 30 percent rating.

The Board has granted a 60 percent disability rating for the Veteran's right knee disability following knee replacement, effective from January 1, 2012.

The Veteran's right knee disability with mild degenerative changes has been rated at 10 percent disabling throughout the entire rating period on appeal. The left knee injury with degenerative disease was rated at 30 percent prior to July 18, 2012, and 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome has been rated at 10 percent since October 26, 2009. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and providing a new examination to evaluate the Veteran's right knee disorder. The claims of service connection for left knee arthritis and gouty arthritis of the right foot are also being remanded.

The Veteran's disability of the left leg external popliteal nerve was rated at 30 percent effective May 13, 2014. The Veteran also received a 20 percent rating for subluxation of the left knee from May 13, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities have been denied. His arthritis has not met the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5010, and his instability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outdated examination reports and conflicting opinions regarding the Veteran's right eye disability and right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. The Veteran is also to be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing left knee disability was aggravated by her active military service, and thus service connection is granted. For her thoracolumbar strain, the Board found no increase in severity during service beyond its natural progression.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to missing VA treatment records from Hines VAMC. The Veteran is requested to provide any additional evidence or argument.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining SSA records and service personnel records from Fort Gordon and Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection for any of the conditions listed.

The Board has determined that another remand is needed to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination. The claims for service connection for bilateral knee and shin disabilities are currently in remanded status.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee and right ankle disabilities are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of ongoing symptoms or treatment following separation from service. The current conditions are more likely due to natural degeneration over time.

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