Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing right knee disability was permanently aggravated during active service, and therefore grants service connection for arthritis of the right knee.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee, hip, and low back disabilities are not related to his service-connected right foot disability. The evidence did not support a finding of secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher initial disability ratings for his mood disorder, left and right ankle disabilities, and bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus.

The Board has ordered the remand of the case due to incomplete records from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased evaluation, and temporary total evaluation are pending.

The Veteran's left knee strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and he has been granted a separate 10 percent rating for arthritis of the left knee. The Veteran's disability does not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's right knee instability was rated at 20 percent prior to March 17, 2010.,Effective September 19, 2013, the Veteran is entitled to a rating of 30 percent for his service-connected right knee instability.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease with patella osteophyte has not met the criteria for a higher evaluation. His cardiomyopathy was previously rated as 10 percent disabling and remains at that level.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to the finding that his MVA was a result of willful misconduct. The Board is remanding the case for further clarification and examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being returned to the Board for additional examinations and consideration due to concerns about the adequacy of previous evaluations, particularly regarding need for aid and attendance and loss of use of limbs.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right knee resulted in pain and limited range of motion, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board granted a 10 percent disability rating for chondromalacia of the right and left knees with patellar strain for the period prior to May 3, 2007.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis is currently rated at 40% for muscle injury to Muscle Group XIII, effective August 26, 2013. The Board has also granted an initial compensable rating for instability of the left knee prior to October 18, 2010, and a higher evaluation thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including supplemental opinions regarding service connection claims and consideration of extraschedular ratings for shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Board also found that the Veteran's TDIU claim from April 2009 to June 6, 2010, was warranted due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right leg above the knee amputation was due to his service-connected right knee disorders, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including his total knee replacement, is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty and there is no evidence of chronic or continuous symptoms since service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for scheduling a travel board hearing. The Board will not make any determination on the merits of his claims until after this hearing.