Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for headaches, a generalized bone/joint disorder including arthritis and strains of multiple joints, a left knee disorder, and a bilateral foot disorder (pes planus) have been rendered moot due to the grant of service connection in May 2012. The appellant's claims are denied as there is no evidence linking her current conditions to military service.

The Board has determined that additional development of the evidence is required before a decision can be made on the Veteran's TDIU claim, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess her ability to secure gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a right knee disability related to his service-connected left knee sprain. The claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability, left knee disability, and left ankle disability have been granted. The Veteran is now receiving the appropriate ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's internal derangement of both knees warrants a rating no higher than the current 20 percent for the right knee and 30 percent for the left knee, as these ratings adequately reflect the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the service-connected right knee patella fracture with arthritis does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to September 26, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected total left knee arthroplasty is rated at 60 percent effective November 5, 2008.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral foot disorder, right knee disability, and bilateral hip disorder as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a supplemental opinion from a VA examiner to address specific instructions laid out by the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease, is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial rating assigned for postoperative residuals of a lateral collateral ligament tear of the right knee with DJD was found to be appropriate, but his secondary service connection claims were not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's left knee and hip disabilities were evaluated, with the left knee receiving a separate evaluation for instability. The lumbar spine disability was not granted an increased rating prior to October 27, 2010.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development and adjudicative action due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee and back disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of sarcoidosis, left knee retropatellar syndrome, left mid-femur scar, and exostosis (bone spur) of the left mid-femur. The decision also noted that the Veteran's sarcoidosis was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral ankle condition as these conditions were not shown to be related to the Veteran's active duty or his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's left leg disability, including degenerative joint disease of the left knee with embedded shrapnel and scars, was granted service connection. However, a rating in excess of 10 percent for limitation of flexion is not warranted prior to July 23, 2009, while a separate 10 percent rating is warranted since October 1, 2009, for limitation of extension.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a left knee disability due to new evidence suggesting it may be related to his right knee condition. However, de novo review finds no current diagnosis or pathology in the left knee.