Knee Board decisions

The Board finds that the Veteran's lumbar strain, patella pain syndrome of both knees, and cervical spine disorder are all related to her service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability, and the case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error in the August 1988 rating decision which denied service connection for a right knee disorder. The effective date of June 23, 1988 is assigned as it was then when the Veteran submitted her original claim.

The Board has determined that further examination and medical opinion are needed to resolve the claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, bilateral knee disability, and low back disability. The Veteran's current conditions may be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for right knee scars was denied. The VA examiner found the scars to be well-healed and not deep or causing limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity disabilities. The claims of increased ratings for left ankle injury, residuals of medial and lateral meniscectomies of the left knee, and osteoarthritis of the left hip are remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current right knee disability is related to his reported injury during Army Reserve annual training in May 1981, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU, as they are rated at 20% combined. The Board found that these conditions prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected conditions were denied. The VA found that the current evaluations adequately reflected the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a mood disorder due to a general medical condition, major depressive disorder, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development and adjudication of related claims, including whether prior RO decisions contained CUE. The primary issue remains his claim for service connection for a left knee disability.

The VA has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the appellant's right knee chondromalacia, effective from December 1, 2003.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disorders and service connection for diabetes mellitus have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's bilateral knee replacements were due to DJD of the knees that had its onset during active service. The claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is granted.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the Veteran's rating for limited extension of the left knee from 30% to 0% was not properly made, and has restored the original 30% rating effective July 1, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was denied, and his claim for an increased rating for chondromalacia of the patella of the right knee was granted with a 10 percent rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities do not warrant a disability rating higher than 10 percent, as there is no evidence of ankylosis, recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of 'locking', pain, and effusion into the joint, malunion of the tibia and fibula with moderate knee or ankle disability, or arthritis. The Veteran's symptoms include pain but no additional functional loss due to pain, weakness, incoordination or fatigue.