Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder and other conditions, render him unemployable due to his cognitive impairments and physical limitations.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and ACL tear existed prior to service, and that any increase in severity during service was due to normal progression. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board found no evidence of a blast injury during service and denied the Veteran's claim for residuals of a blast injury to include injuries to the left thigh, right knee and back with scarring.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral shoulder, elbow and knee disorders has been remanded due to ambiguities in the record and the need for medical opinions regarding the existence and etiology of the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a more current VA examination of his left knee disability and clarification on whether he desires a hearing before the Board. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is related to his time in military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected DJD, status post left knee replacement, is currently rated at 40 percent combined. The Board finds that the symptoms warrant a 60 percent disability rating.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disorder due to new and material evidence. However, the claims for tinnitus, bilateral knee disorder, and PTSD are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability has been rated as noncompensable, but the Board finds that a compensable rating is warranted based on painful limitation of motion. The Veteran's right knee sprain has also been granted an initial 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee condition is etiologically related to his active military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral knee osteoarthritis may not be dissociated from complaints of right knee pain, and notation of early bilateral knee osteoarthritis in service. Therefore, service connection is granted for osteoarthritis of the right and left knees.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities was 70 percent from September 19, 2003 to July 24, 2007. The claimant contends that he should have received a higher combined rating prior to this date.,The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his headaches and peripheral neuropathy of the right foot.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected knee, cervical spine, and foot disabilities. The RO granted service connection for these conditions in April 2001 but did not assign any effective date as of that time.

From March 1, 2008, the Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 60% for total right knee replacement.,Prior to March 1, 2012, the Veteran's arthritis of the right knee was not present and thus no rating was assigned.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized as osteoarthritis status post multiple surgeries and instability, was not manifested by flexion limited to 30 degrees or extension limited to 15 degrees during the period from January 24, 2005 to January 24, 2008. The Veteran's right knee disability was also not manifested by severe recurrent subluxation or lateral instability. Therefore, an evaluation greater than 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis status post multiple surgeries based on limitation of motion and an evaluation greater than 20 percent for right knee osteoarthritis with instability based on instability were denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee internal derangement with DJD and limitation of flexion are currently rated at 10 percent, effective February 1, 2009. The rating for limitation of extension remains noncompensable.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a right knee disability causally related to service, and grants his claim for service connection.