Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee disability, evaluated as 10 percent disabling from December 1, 2006 through October 27, 2008 and as 30 percent disabling beginning on December 1, 2009, did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation during this period.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 60 percent since June 1, 2010. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted as the maximum schedular rating for residuals of knee replacement is 60 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability is directly related to service, and his left knee and right knee disabilities are secondary to his left ankle disability. The appeal for a right ankle disability was withdrawn prior to decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the feet, right knee, left knee, and hands/tarsal tunnel syndrome. The appeal was also denied regarding whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen claims for Reiter's syndrome, paranoid schizophrenia, and a low back injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability, headaches, and left foot disability as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for his TDIU benefit, arguing he was unable to work due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 24, 2010. The Board has determined that there is sufficient evidence to suggest the Veteran may have been unemployable by reason of service-connected disabilities prior to this date.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee instability and arthritis were not found to warrant ratings in excess of the 10 percent assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, left ear hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding her pre-service conditions and their progression during service.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected conditions was 50 percent prior to June 20, 2008. The Director of Compensation and Pension found that the evidence did not show he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for PTSD and Right Knee Disability was denied as the evidence did not show that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's joint pain is attributed to pre-existing conditions and not due to service. Service connection for the claimed disabilities is denied.

The Veteran's DJD, status post right total knee arthroplasty is currently rated at 60 percent and the Director of Compensation Service denied an extra-schedular rating.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 30 percent disabling, and his right knee disabilities are each rated at 10 percent disabling. The Veteran was granted increased ratings for these conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a preexisting left knee condition and concluded that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to his service.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including his residuals of a left knee injury with dislocated cartilage, was rated at 20 percent effective December 13, 2011. He also received separate ratings for limitation of flexion and degenerative joint disease.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claim for a higher rating of SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person was not granted. The current service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an increased SMC rate.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disorder and entitlement to a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss. The claim for service connection was previously denied in 1991, but new evidence submitted since then does not establish a current disability or link it to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of the left great toe, left leg (other than his left hip), or right knee. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.