Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 30 percent since October 24, 2007, reflecting limitation of extension due to DJD. A separate 10 percent rating is assigned for instability.,Both the limitation of extension and instability are considered under DCs 5260 (flexion) and 5261 (extension), respectively.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease but found no evidence to support a finding of service connection for the Veteran's left knee medial meniscus tear.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot, knee, and low back disorders were denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service injury or disease. The Board found that the Veteran's statements regarding symptoms during service are not credible.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left knee fracture and total left knee replacement as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied higher initial schedular evaluations for the Veteran's right knee disability under all applicable diagnostic codes and found no authority to grant an extraschedular evaluation.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and right knee disabilities were not rated higher than 20 percent prior to the specified dates, as there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or severe recurrent subluxation/lateral instability.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various disabilities, including hearing loss, tinnitus, and injuries to the right arm, legs, knees, and feet. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding these claims.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not incurred in or related to service.,Bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in service and is not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized as degenerative arthritis and residuals of a partial meniscectomy, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261 due to limitation of flexion or extension. However, he meets the criteria for a separate 10 percent rating based on slight instability of the left knee.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is not etiologically related to his active duty service or his service-connected left ankle disability, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his symptoms and examination findings. Service connection was also denied for left knee and hip disabilities as secondary to the service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing at the VA regional office in Phoenix, Arizona. The claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability and psychiatric disability are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA joints examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's right ankle degenerative joint disease is related to his in-service right ankle injury, and the Board has determined that service connection for this condition should be granted.

The Veteran's claims of reopening and service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, a back condition, neck condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition are pending. The RO found new and material evidence in some cases but denied others on the merits.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection of knee disabilities, including Osgood-Schlatter's disease. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the current level of disability associated with chondromalacia of the left and right knees, as well as whether any current left hand disorder is related to service or to her service-connected left humerus fracture. The AOJ will also offer an opportunity for the Veteran to have a hearing before a current Board member.

The Veteran's left knee laxity is rated at 30 percent effective April 1, 2004. The right knee chondromalacia and left knee laxity are both rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis status post replacement of the knees.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee and foot disabilities did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. As such, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.