Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 70 percent, and the Board finds that they are not shown to render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's knee disabilities, specifically left knee status post meniscectomy with relaxed anterior cruciate ligament and right knee chondromalacia, patella, have been rated at 10 percent since August 31, 2009. The Board found that higher ratings were not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's bilateral foot and knee conditions are being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their relationship to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability is manifested by degenerative arthritis, resulting in pain and noncompensable limitation in motion. The disability has not manifested ankylosis, recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, dislocation of the semilunar cartilage, malunion or non-union of the tibia and fibula, or genu recurvatum.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal involves two issues: a claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for residuals of a right total knee arthoplasty and a request to restore the prior rating for his service-connected right shoulder disability. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and personnel records from the Veteran's reserve service. A VA examination is also needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of a left knee disability or a chest disability, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability, which was aggravated by service, is now considered a service-connected condition. The Board has determined that the criteria for an eligibility percentage of 100 percent under the Post-9/11 GI Bill have been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot, back, right hip, and right knee disorders are related to his military service. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to December 20, 2011 and denied for higher ratings. After December 20, 2011, the rating remained at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and hip disorders, which were secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability with left leg numbness and tingling, have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of a bilateral knee or hip disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed bilateral elbow and knee disabilities are not related to his service, including as due to undiagnosed illness or exposure to Persian Gulf War conditions. The claims were denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right knee disability has been dismissed due to the death of the claimant.

The Board has determined that there is a baseline level of severity for nonservice-connected right knee and right ankle arthritis established by competent medical evidence and attributable to the service-connected left knee and ankle disabilities. The evidence is, at worst, in equipoise, and resolving doubt in the Veteran's favor, service connection for arthritis of the right knee and arthritis of the right ankle is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding it secondary to his already service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, hip, knee disabilities and residuals of a spider bite. The claim for an increased rating for his right hand disability was granted but not yet fully resolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and right knee disabilities are related to his military service, with the right knee disability being secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The sleep apnea is also considered secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing before a VLJ at the RO due to the Veteran's request.

The Veteran's right knee has been rated at 10 percent for limitation of motion, and a separate 10 percent evaluation was granted for limitation of flexion. From June 27, 2012, the Veteran is now rated at 40 percent for limitation of extension.,Since December 18, 2013, the Veteran has been evaluated at 40 percent for limitation of extension in her left knee. Prior to that date, she was rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion.