Knee Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for left knee and left hip disabilities, finding that they are secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The appeals are granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and medical opinion, as well as records development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a hearing at the RO before a member of the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability and peroneal neuropathy are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee and an acquired psychiatric disorder (diagnosed as PTSD). The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within the applicable presumptive period, and that the medical opinion provided by the VA examiner did not support a relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, which includes arthroscopy with partial lateral meniscectomy and posterolateral corner reconstruction, is currently rated at 10 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his range of motion remains within the limits for a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing. The rating for a left foot callous, service connection for skin rash of the left ankle, and reopening claims for right knee disorder, depression, and tinnitus are all on appeal.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to August 15, 2006 and at 30 percent since October 1, 2007. The decision granted the higher ratings for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left lower extremity disability due to service, but his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine warrants an initial rating of 20 percent. The anxiety disorder is rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back disabilities, finding no new and material evidence to reopen these claims. The claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability was also denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking the current condition to service.,For the right knee laceration residuals, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7805.

The Veteran's left leg disabilities, including shrapnel wounds and vascular injury, are currently rated at the maximum allowed under applicable diagnostic codes. The effective date for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a current VA examination and additional private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to assess his current medical condition, including bilateral knee and diabetes mellitus. The case will then be readjudicated based on the new evidence.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and provide the Veteran with an examination. The appeal will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic lumbar spine or left knee disorder during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board found that the reduction of the rating for the Veteran's service-connected left total knee replacement from 100 to 30 percent, effective December 1, 2007, was proper. The criteria for a higher evaluation were not met at any time.

The Veteran's left knee disability, post-total knee arthroplasty, does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability, including degenerative joint disease, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a supplemental opinion regarding the etiology of any left knee disability.

The Board has determined that a right knee disability, diagnosed as a strain, is related to the service-connected traumatic degenerative changes of the left ankle and grants service connection for this condition.