Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right knee disability and therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are rated at 10% each, with no higher ratings due to limitations in range of motion. The Veteran is granted a separate 10% rating for slight instability of the right knee.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability remains rated at 10%, as there is no evidence of ankylosis or dislocation of semilunar cartilage, and limitation of motion does not meet criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for further development of the record, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disorder and circulatory disorder associated with his bilateral lower extremities is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to new evidence received after an SSOC was issued.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO found that the Veteran was already receiving the highest schedular rating available for fibromyalgia and did not have a compensable rating for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist prior to August 7, 2008. For the period after August 7, 2008, she had a noncompensable rating for that condition. The Veteran's patella compression syndrome of both knees was also found not to warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates were denied in March 2000 and July 2002, but the RO granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of his knees with separate evaluations effective April 26, 2002. The Board found that there was CUE in the September 1980 rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, initial compensable disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and pseudofolliculitis barbae, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the knees, as there is no chronic knee disability shown in service or after service. The VA examiner opined that it is not at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current knee disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee and hip disabilities meet the percentage requirements for TDIU, as his combined rating is at least 70 percent. However, he does not have unemployability due to these conditions alone.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disorders and assigned an initial 10 percent rating effective July 2002. The knees do not meet criteria for a higher evaluation based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate has been remanded due to insufficient information regarding his actual nonservice-connected disabilities. The VA will obtain additional medical records, including from SSA, and schedule a VA examination to determine if he is in need of regular aid and assistance.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current left eye or left knee disability related to service, and thus the Veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and considering additional medical evidence. The issues of service connection for a bilateral knee disability and initial rating for left thumb osteoarthritis are on appeal.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right femur disability needs further examination and evaluation, as the current VA examinations do not provide sufficient findings regarding the nature and extent of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the reduction in disability ratings for arthritis of the right and left knees from 20% to 10% was proper based on evidence showing improvement in symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities have been evaluated based on their current manifestations and do not warrant higher ratings as the range of motion is within normal limits with no additional limitation due to pain or instability.

For the periods prior to July 20, 2010 and from July 20, 2010, the Veteran's total right knee arthroplasty with looseness and ligament laxity was productive of severe painful motion and weakness in the right knee warranting a 60 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination of the right knee, and readjudicating the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's right knee TKA is currently rated at 30 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for this time period.