Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and post-surgical meniscectomy, was granted with initial ratings. From September 8, 2004 to January 15, 2010, he received a 10% rating for arthritic changes. Since then, he has been rated at 40% for limitation of extension.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of his current medical condition, including recent hospitalization and diagnosis of lung cancer. The RO will also obtain any relevant private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for her left knee disability, including the condition following synovial plica excision, was denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder, but denied her claims for service connection for bilateral hip and foot disorders due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated VA treatment records. The claims will be reconsidered after these are obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee and left knee conditions, as well as his right ankle condition. The RO assigned initial 10 percent ratings under DCs 5260 (limitation of flexion) and 5261 (limitation of extension) for each affected joint.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Type II diabetes mellitus and related conditions, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, and left knee instability, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU rating.

The Board is remanding this claim, including the others, for further development and consideration due to new and material evidence having been submitted since a previous denial of service connection for a left knee disorder.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic bilateral knee disorder during service or within one year post-service, and the most competent medical evidence does not support a connection between current bilateral knee disorders and military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination of his left knee disability, as the previous one was too old and did not address the left knee.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities do not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, as her range of motion is within acceptable limits and there are no indications of ankylosis or severe painful motion.

The Veteran's right knee and ankle disabilities have been granted service connection, but the initial ratings assigned are 10 percent for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to missing service treatment records and outstanding private medical records. The Veteran is advised to provide information about any relevant medical providers or witnesses.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the presence of current disabilities and the need for medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's facial scars, left wrist muscle injury, right shoulder and neck muscle injury, left foot scar, left wrist scar, right knee scar, right lower extremity scar, and right ankle scar are all rated at 30 percent each.,Service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of May 22, 2009. Service connection for neuralgia of the left foot was also granted but without a specific effective date.

The Board previously denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence indicated that his current disability was less likely than not related to his 1980 injury. The Court has now remanded the case for further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing left knee condition existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities have been dismissed due to failure to respond to requests for necessary evidence.

The Board found that the service-connected left knee disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as there was no actual limitation of motion or functional loss due to pain or during flare-ups. The Veteran's symptoms were noted but did not result in a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.