Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 30 percent for right knee degenerative joint disease, status post right knee replacement was denied. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU rating based on the service-connected right knee disability is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions due to service, and therefore denied all claims for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left fifth toe fracture, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and left ankle strain as secondary to her service-connected right ankle disability. The evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and left knee disabilities was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for the lumbar spine disability or a rating in excess of 10 percent for the left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence. The issue remains about entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right knee.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that none of his service-connected conditions caused or contributed substantially or materially to causing his death.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome was rated at 0 percent prior to December 29, 2010 and at 10 percent from that date. The claim for higher ratings is denied.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection, a higher rating for his knee condition, and TDIU. The case is being remanded to allow the VA to consider additional evidence and conduct any necessary examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for patellar subluxation of the left knee with early chondromalacia and patellar subluxation of the right knee. The Veteran's pre-existing left knee disability was aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran is granted service connection for a left knee disability and right hip disability as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. Service connection for head trauma residuals and left eye disability are not established.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee and lumbar spine disabilities render her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches are attributed to a known clinical diagnosis of tension-type/muscle-contraction headaches. The claim for increased evaluations for his colitis and migratory arthritis is denied as the evidence does not support higher ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as a torn lateral meniscus with a history of instability and arthritis, has been rated at 10 percent since March 1996. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in rating for any period during the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disorders in May 1985. The current evidence does not provide new or material information to reopen these claims, and the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that any current knee conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is service-connected, but her knee and ankle disabilities are not. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's initial and staged ratings for posttraumatic degenerative changes, left knee, and left knee instability have been denied. The rating for left knee arthroplasty remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities reasonably result in his requiring assistance with a number of his activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing and dressing, and he requires care or assistance on a regular basis to protect himself from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise and supports a grant of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling. The Board has determined that the criteria for a higher evaluation have not been met, but separate evaluations based on instability have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's pre-existing left knee disability was aggravated by service.