Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee disorder did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to March 13, 2009 or from May 1, 2009. The VA determined that his symptoms were adequately compensated by the current 10 percent ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are deemed to prevent him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee laxity has been evaluated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this evaluation is appropriate given the current mild instability.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is service-connected, but the Board finds that his unexplained joint pains are at least in equipoise with service connection. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional information and evidence, including service personnel records and VA clinical records. The Veteran will also be scheduled for examinations to assess the severity of his left knee disability and any aggravation of other disabilities by his service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left knee disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right knee disability, respiratory disorder (COPD), small bowel resection residuals, and hearing loss. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to these issues that were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The RO found clear and unmistakable error in the August 2007 rating decision that awarded a 20% disability rating for residuals of a meniscectomy of the left knee, and restored the original 10% rating effective January 1, 2009.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability has been received. The Veteran's appeal is granted in this regard, but his de novo claim for service connection will be addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is found to be related to service. The issue of residuals of a cranial injury and acquired psychiatric disability will require further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including patellofemoral symptoms and incisional pain following a revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA), is not considered to be due to VA medical treatment or lack thereof. The Board finds no evidence of negligence, error in judgment or lack of skill in the treatment provided by VA.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, including severe degenerative changes in the right knee, was manifested primarily by crepitus and pain throughout his range of right knee motion from zero degrees of extension to 100 degrees of flexion. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's right knee pain is productive of additional right knee pathology.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling since May 4, 2007. For the period from October 1, 2009, to December 6, 2009, his left knee osteoarthritis was rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10%, then 20%, and finally 30% since July 2, 2009. The claim is now before the Board to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as the evidence does not establish a current disability related to his in-service injuries or events.,Service connection has been granted for residuals of left leg fracture (left lower extremity radiculopathy).

The Board has restored the Veteran's 20% evaluation for his right knee strain, effective January 1, 2008. However, it denied a rating in excess of 10% for his residuals of right knee ACL tear.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder is not related to her active service and denied her claim.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are required to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including for his skin disorder, lumbar and left knee disorders, and PTSD. The case is therefore being remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 30 percent from July 1, 2006 to March 4, 2007 and granted a 60 percent rating effective January 9, 2007. The claim for a higher rating remains pending.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been evaluated as 10 percent disabling since July 31, 2006. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on limitation of motion or arthritis.