Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date for his right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development due to missing VA treatment records and a need for another VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left knee did not manifest during service or as a result of an in-service injury, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an adequate VA examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disorder is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee laceration with decreased sensation is currently rated at 10 percent, effective June 10, 2009. The Board finds that the disability does not warrant a higher rating as it primarily involves sensory loss without significant motor impairment.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a low back disorder and bilateral knee disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen these claims. The claim for increased evaluation of left ankle fracture with degenerative arthritis is granted at 30 percent.

The Board found no credible evidence of a left leg injury or disease during service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including hypertension, left ankle sprain, right shoulder impingement, residuals of rib fracture, and post-operative residuals of a meniscectomy, have been granted. The appeal is resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by osteoarthritis and instability, is currently rated at 20 percent. A separate 20 percent rating for moderate instability of the left knee has also been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and low back disability, as well as to obtain any pertinent medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if his current left hip and left knee disabilities are etiologically related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of certain examination findings.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance is being remanded due to the need for a certification from the Under Secretary for Health regarding whether her knee brace tends to wear her clothing. The Veteran has service-connected right knee disability, but her current brace does not qualify under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.810(a)(1).

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right ankle strain have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support assigning an initial rating greater than 10 percent for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent prior to September 24, 2008. From March 1, 2007 to September 24, 2008, she was granted a separate 10 percent rating for slight instability of the left knee. Since September 25, 2009, her partial left knee replacement residuals are rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease has been granted service connection. However, his onychomycosis and tinea pedis of the bilateral feet have not met the criteria for a compensable rating under the schedular evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability was denied by the Board, as there is no evidence of limitation of extension to 30 degrees or more or chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness in the affected extremity.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated medical records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disorder due to incomplete medical opinions and missing records. The case will be reviewed again with additional development, including obtaining MEB records and arranging for an appropriate VA examination.