Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's initial compensable disability evaluations for his ganglion cyst of the right wrist and early loss of the medial joint space of the right knee have been granted. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current right or left knee disabilities related to service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between his current condition and his active service. The decision also noted that crutches used following total knee replacements did not cause or aggravate his left shoulder disorder.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) and referred it back to the AOJ for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records from Dr. S. and Dr. S.G., and requesting an opinion regarding the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a right knee strain, finding that there was no pending claim prior to August 20, 2007 and thus the earliest possible effective date is August 20, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders, specifically patellofemoral arthritis of both knees, are related to his military service and have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's post-operative left knee disability has been objectively shown to be manifested by no more than total knee replacement residuals, arthroscopic revision residuals; villonodular synovitis; severe chronic knee pain and weakness; an antalgic gait; and a left knee range of motion of 0 to 95 degrees. The criteria for a 60 percent evaluation have been met.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder did not clearly and unmistakably preexist service, and there is no competent evidence linking his current left knee disorder to any incident of service.

The Veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of partial patellectomy of the right knee have been manifested by arthritis with painful flexion greater than 30 degrees and full extension to 0 degrees, fatigue, weakness, and less than moderate recurrent subluxation or lateral instability. The Board finds that a higher rating for right knee instability under Diagnostic Code 5257 is not warranted for any period.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left knee chondrocalcinosis with tricompartmental osteoarthritis, DJD is being remanded due to the need for further development of his current disability level.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is productive of pain with some limitation of motion, but flexion and extension are not limited to the prescribed percentages. The disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, vision impairment, and neurological disorders. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of the submitted Social Security Administration (SSA) disability determination. The TDIU claim will also be reconsidered.

The Board has found that the Veteran's left de Quervain's syndrome does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. For her right knee patellofemoral syndrome, she received a 10 percent rating effective April 14, 2010, but the evidence shows that prior to this date, there was no limitation of motion warranting such a rating. After April 14, 2010, while painful motion is noted, flexion has not been limited to less than 30 degrees.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's systemic lupus erythematous had its onset during service and grants service connection for this condition. The other issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including degenerative changes and instability post-surgery, is currently rated at 10 percent. The appeal for a higher rating has been granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his missing service records and VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of right knee cartilage injury, status-post total knee replacement and revision are incurred in service. The claim for tinnitus is remanded as it requires further development.