Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities, as well as his knee disability, have been denied higher ratings.,Service connection for a psychiatric disorder has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board noted that the lumbar spine strain was rated as 20 percent disabling, right knee disability as 10 percent disabling, and left knee disability as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities were denied by the RO. The case is being remanded to provide additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the bilateral knees, to include as secondary to her service-connected patellofemoral dysfunction and strain, is being remanded. Her claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the lower spine is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee degenerative changes of the patellofemoral compartment and mild spurring of the tibial spines are currently rated as noncompensable due to lack of objective findings of limitation of motion, ankylosis, or other disabling symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of private medical expenses incurred from July 27, 2008 to July 28, 2008 was denied as the treatment did not meet the criteria for emergency care under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee disability was granted, with the effective date being February 19, 2010. The Veteran is now rated at 30 percent for status post left knee ACL reconstruction.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues for VA examinations and further development of the claims.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected cervical spine and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current disability levels.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations. The issues of increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, left knee chondromalacia patella, and entitlement to a TDIU are all pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back or left knee disorder that is attributable to his military service, including an injury sustained during service. Therefore, these claims for service connection are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee and hip disabilities are not related to his military service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability ratings for various conditions, including tendinopathy of the left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, ankle strain, tremor of uncertain etiology, and a gland condition. The Veteran's degenerative disc disease, C5-6 and C6-7, was rated at 20 percent, while his chronic low back strain remained at 10 percent.

The Veteran's right and left knee disorders have been rated at 10 percent since December 29, 2006. Separate ratings of 10 percent for instability in both knees are granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected left ankle and left knee disabilities and his lumbar spine disorder. The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his right knee condition was denied because the evidence did not show a nexus between the current condition and service.,The Veteran's claim to reopen his pes planus with left ankle pain (left foot) was also denied because there was no evidence that the pre-existing condition was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities are evaluated at 30% and 10%, respectively. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect his disability levels, thus denying increased rating claims for both knees. His TDIU claim was also denied as he did not meet the criteria for a combined rating of 70% or more due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and therefore, his surviving spouse is not entitled to service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is currently employed in a part-time capacity and capable of performing sedentary work.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and generalized anxiety disorder, do not meet the threshold requirements for a TDIU as they are rated at 50% and 30%, respectively. The combined rating is 80%. However, he has been unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his disabilities.