Knee Board decisions

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating based on instability or arthritis. The current 20% rating is maintained.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's need for aid and attendance or housebound status, requiring further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities warrant initial noncompensable disability ratings, as they do not meet criteria for a higher rating based on functional impairment or other factors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating for his left knee disability, with the exception of a temporary total (100 percent) convalescence rating from August 3, 2001 through December 31, 2001.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for left knee disorder and low back disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's chondromalacia of the right knee with degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, effective January 31, 2003. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the left knee was denied. The condition was rated at 10 percent from April 1, 2004 to September 6, 2007.,For his status post total left knee replacement, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating beyond 30 percent is also denied.

The Board found that the residuals of a left leg injury, to include a left knee replacement, were not incurred in active service.

The Veteran does not have residuals of right knee injury, left knee injury, right ankle injury, or left ankle injury due to service. His claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, including osteoarthritis status-post total knee arthroplasty with pes anserine bursitis, was granted a 30% rating effective October 1, 2007. The decision also noted that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD warranted an initial increased rating.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 20 percent prior to April 20, 2009 and increased to 60 percent as of June 1, 2010. The Veteran is also granted TDIU status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right and left knees have been evaluated at 20 percent each, but his claims for increased ratings are denied as there is no evidence showing that the disabilities warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's arthritis of both knees did not manifest during service or for many years thereafter, and is not causally related to his active duty or a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for secondary service connection was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disorder, finding no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, bilateral hip disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, polymyalgia rheumatica, back disability, neck disability, and weight gain and obesity are not considered service-connected as they are deemed to be secondary to his service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral disc disease with a rating of 20 percent and effective date of August 10, 2005. The claim to reopen for right knee disability is denied as new and material evidence does not show the Veteran now has such a condition. However, the claim to reopen for left knee disability is granted due to new and material evidence showing arthritis in the left knee.

The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether a current left knee disability is related to in-service parachute jumps and reported knee pain, thus granting service connection for this condition. The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD ratings and earlier effective dates were also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional medical examinations and records, as well as a review of existing VA treatment records.