Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and updated treatment records. The RO/AMC will reassess his employability status in light of all evidence.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the disability rating for right knee instability from 10 percent to 0 percent, effective March 1, 2010, was proper.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations, finding no current right knee disability or evidence of a right knee injury in service. The Veteran's left knee disabilities are currently evaluated as 10% disabling.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining clarification from Dr. Brager regarding the cause of his colorectal cancer and scheduling an examination to determine if it was caused by herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues for a videoconference hearing. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder and right shoulder disorder are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on their respective conditions, with the highest available rating of 20 percent for each. The decision grants these ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for metatarsalgia and bone spurs of the feet, right knee disorder including degenerative joint disease (DJD), and left knee disorder including degenerative joint disease (DJD). The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service, thus granting service connection on a presumptive basis.

The Veteran's right knee disabilities have been granted increased ratings, and his left knee disability has been denied service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disabilities did not clearly and unmistakably pre-exist service, thus establishing a presumption of soundness at entry. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease for either knee, nor is there a medical nexus between the current conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for an additional VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability, as he has asserted that it has worsened since his last VA examination.

The Veteran's left knee and thigh disability, including arthritis and muscle injury, are currently rated at 10 percent each under Diagnostic Codes 5003 (arthritis) and 5314 (muscle disability), respectively. The RO has not granted a higher rating for these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of exposure to chemicals and respiratory disorder, claimed as asthma, sinus, shortness of breath, cough, including as due to herbicide and asbestos exposure. The remaining claims are pending.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of his left ankle disability has been granted, with the effective date set at February 21, 1956. The higher initial rating and service connection claims for right knee total arthroplasty are remanded.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination.

The Board has awarded a 10 percent rating for shortening of the left lower extremity, effective July 13, 2009. The Veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left knee is also considered in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to address his breathing condition, back condition, and bilateral knee conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his current knee and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee and low back disabilities are not related to his active service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.