Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to include adjudicating the issues on a de novo basis, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing clarifying opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's asthma and his back, bilateral knee, left hip, and left leg disabilities.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees was not caused by or aggravated by his military service, did not manifest in service or within a year of service, and is not otherwise related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection has been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate explanation of reasons and bases for denying service connection for knee and ankle conditions, claimed as secondary to service-connected pes planus. The case is now being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the inadequacy of previous VA examinations and the need for a new examination. Other issues related to service connection are also pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying whether the appellant desires a Board hearing.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for either right or left knee disability, concluding that the current conditions are not related to active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. For the period prior to February 1, 2013, his knee conditions did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent or a separate evaluation for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage. Since April 1, 2014, his residuals of total left knee replacement have been rated at the maximum available under the rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee degenerative joint disease is related to his service in Vietnam, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The other claims are denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 1151 for the residuals of a total knee replacement, and as such, the Veteran is entitled to these benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected discogenic disease of the lumbosacral junction, chondromalacia patella, left knee, with degenerative changes, and chondromalacia of the right knee are not shown to meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation. The Veteran's hypertension is also not shown to meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disorders and finds that new and material evidence has been submitted. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or better probability) that any current disability of the knees is etiologically related to active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hip, foot, and left knee disabilities are found to be secondary to his service-connected right great toe disability. The claims for increased ratings for the right knee disability have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability was aggravated during service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent under the Rating Schedule for limitation of motion. The evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no indication of instability, subluxation, or other conditions that would warrant a separate compensable rating.

The Veteran is granted a 30 percent disability rating for his right knee disability, status post partial knee replacement, effective June 2, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of multiple diagnostic codes related to his left knee disorder. The claim will be reconsidered with an eye towards separate ratings for lost flexion/extension, instability, and any post-operative scarring.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of TDIU was granted, with the effective date set at May 14, 2010. The Veteran had been service connected for various conditions including PTSD and multiple musculoskeletal issues since April 25, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal was not timely filed, and his claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with previous directives, specifically regarding an opinion on whether the Veteran's right knee arthritis is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral flat feet.