Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder has been denied as new and material evidence has not been received.,Service connection was established for the residuals of multiple fractures of the left foot, common peroneal neuropathy, cognitive disorder, and scars. The Veteran is seeking secondary service connection for his left footdrop due to his service-connected right knee, low back, and left foot disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral leg pain and seborrheic dermatitis are denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability manifested by these conditions during or after service.

The Veteran's service-connected skin disorder (lichen planus) is granted. However, his claims for increased ratings of the right foot and wrist ganglion cyst are denied.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses for privately provided rehabilitation services is being remanded due to the need to obtain missing VA records and provide a medical opinion regarding the availability of treatment at private facilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right knee injury is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability, including as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The evidence did not show that the left knee disability was incurred in or aggravated by service and there was no medical opinion linking it to his service-connected right knee.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, left knee, and cervical spine disorders are related to his active service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of frostbite and arthritis of the knees, arms, hips, and elbows as these conditions are not considered to be directly related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee injuries have been partially granted with staged ratings, but no higher than the currently assigned disability ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee arthritis and other impairment of the right knee, including subluxation and cartilage damage, are rated at 30 percent effective from March 2010.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee disability with arthritis and instability are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional service treatment records, update VA treatment records, and schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records and arranging for an addendum opinion from the VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and will schedule a Travel Board hearing for the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disabilities do not warrant a higher evaluation based on current symptoms and medical evidence. The service-connected conditions are characterized by subjective complaints of pain, weakness, and instability, but objective findings indicate slight instability with no more than a 10 percent rating for ACL repair and DJD without occasional incapacitating exacerbations.

The Veteran's left knee disability, post-total knee arthroplasty (TKA), is currently rated at 60 percent and the claim for a higher rating has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he did not require a period of recovery beyond April 1, 2008 for his arthroscopic surgery of the left knee.

The Board found no evidence of arthritis or other knee disability during service, and there is insufficient medical evidence to establish a connection between the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability and his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a neck condition, DJD of the left knee or right knee prior to August 8, 2005, or chronic synovitis of the right hand and wrist (right hand disability) or GERD that was incurred in or aggravated by service. Effective dates for service connection were not granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his lumbosacral strain, as well as his right knee disability. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.