Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's current diagnoses include bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees and degenerative joint disease of the back. The Board granted service connection for these conditions based on direct evidence showing a chronic condition in service.,Service connection was denied for the Veteran's claimed back disability due to lack of evidence of chronic symptoms during or within one year after service separation.

The Veteran's appeal is for an increased rating in excess of 60 percent for his service-connected right knee disability, which was granted a 60 percent schedular rating effective April 1, 2012. The RO also granted an earlier effective date of January 31, 2012 (the date of the surgery).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee, migraine headaches, neck, and low back disabilities are related to service and grants service connection for all four conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting TDIU.

The Board found no evidence of a knee disability in service or within one year after separation, and concluded that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disabilities are less likely related to his military service.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 10 percent for degenerative joint disease, and a separate 10 percent rating is granted for an other impairment of the left knee diagnosed as a complex tear of the lateral meniscus with subjective evidence of giving way.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not warrant a higher rating based on their combined effect.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a link between the Veteran's left knee condition and his active duty service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and entitlement to a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further development of his claims.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee condition. The Veteran contends that he has a bilateral knee condition due to his active military service, but there are no VA or private treatment records associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's left knee disabilities, including osteoarthrosis patellofemoral and medial joint compartments with limitation of motion, as well as meniscal degeneration and ligament reconstruction, have been granted. The disability ratings for these conditions remain at 40 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including patellofemoral arthralgia of the left knee, gastritis and GERD, bronchitis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left ankle arthralgia, and left hip strain, do not render her unemployable due to her disabilities. The Board finds that she is capable of performing more sedentary employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of his claimed conditions, including as secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for compliance with the terms of the Joint Motion for Remand (JMR) orders, which include obtaining a new VA examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's right knee disability and whether his low back disability is aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's current bilateral lower extremity disorder, including arthritis and hallux valgus, is not related to service. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection based on exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right knee disability and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to November 7, 2008, and from January 1, 2009, or in excess of 10 percent thereafter, for instability under any applicable Diagnostic Codes.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability and granted it. The Board also found that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disorder and cervical spine disorder were denied. The claim for a TDIU rating was remanded, as less than the maximum benefit was awarded.

The Veteran's left knee disability, prior to May 5, 2010, was rated at 10 percent for osteoarthritis and granted a separate 10 percent rating for lateral instability. The current rating of 10 percent is appropriate given the limited range of motion and no significant instability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a bilateral knee or low back disability related to service. The evidence shows no in-service injury, and current diagnoses are attributed to degenerative joint disease with possible etiologies including obesity.