Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for low back strain and right knee strain were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional medical records.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each, with no higher ratings warranted due to the lack of evidence showing more than slight limitation of motion or instability.

The Veteran's PTSD is at least as likely as not the result of his period of active service and fear of hostile military or terrorist acts. The Board finds that the primary stressor referenced in the December 2006 consultation report is related to a fear of hostile military or terrorist activity, which is consistent with the circumstances of the Veteran's service. Therefore, the Board finds that service connection is warranted for PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disorder and a left shoulder disorder, but further development is needed to address the merits of these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. He must also be afforded a VA examination to assess the nature and extent of his cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his active service, including a fall during basic training and subsequent in-service arthroscopic removal of loose bodies. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disability was incurred in service due to a preexisting condition that worsened during his active duty. The left knee disability is not shown to be related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a current right knee disability. The VA has determined that further examination and opinion are needed to determine if the condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board found no evidence of a right leg injury or fracture in service, and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his claimed right leg disorder. The left knee issue was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee instability was not shown to be related to his military service and determined that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence showing aggravation of a pre-existing condition during service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral shoulder arthritis. The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative changes in various joints have also been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee laxity and chondrocalcinosis did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's right total knee replacement disability is rated at 60 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5055.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of a claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disability is manifested by recurrent patellar dislocation, the sensation of instability, and x-ray evidence of degenerative changes with painful but not compensable limitation of motion. The Board finds that an increased staged rating to 20 percent (based on a combination of a 10 percent rating for recurrent subluxation and a 10 percent rating for arthritis with limitation of motion) is warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disorder is not related to his service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability. The claim will be readjudicated based on the new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death (hypoxia, cardiopulmonary arrest, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and end stage Alzheimer's disease) were not causally or etiologically related to any service-connected condition. The Board also determined that none of the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially to his death.