Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left knee and hip are being remanded due to further development needed, including obtaining medical records from a nursing home where he is currently residing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of his low back disorder and knee medial meniscus tears, as well as effective dates prior to December 22, 2006 for hip disorders. The appeal is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis and residuals of left knee surgery were denied increased ratings.,An acquired psychiatric disorder was not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5003 for degenerative arthritis. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the limitation of motion has been objectively confirmed by findings such as swelling, muscle spasm, or satisfactory evidence of painful motion.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and left knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, as his conditions are presumed to have existed prior to service. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for either condition.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of his lumbar and knee disorders, concluding that they are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased initial evaluations for his right and left knee disabilities have been granted. The right knee disability is rated at 20 percent, while the left knee disability remains at 10 percent.

From June 23, 2003 to November 8, 2005, the Veteran's right knee arthritis was manifested by limited flexion and extension. He received a 10 percent disability rating for this period.,From November 8, 2005 to May 10, 2006, his right knee arthritis was characterized by more severe limitations in motion with painful crepitus and restricted range of motion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee arthritis, as well as his claim for diabetes mellitus, type II. The denial of these claims is final based on the evidence of record at the time of the February 2004 rating decision.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by a medial meniscal tear and traumatic arthritis, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board has determined that he is also entitled to an additional 10 percent rating for painful motion due to the traumatic arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional records and further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, as secondary to service-connected left foot and ankle disabilities, increased rating for residuals of fracture, sesamoid first metacarpal phalangeal joint of the left foot, and increased rating for left ankle disability were denied. The Board found no competent evidence of a current left knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and clarifying the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, but further development is needed before a decision can be made.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability. The RO found no medical evidence linking her current left knee condition to her military service.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and his left knee disorder is also rated at 10 percent. The RO has determined that neither condition warrants a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are reasonably shown to be of such nature and severity as to preclude him from participating in any regular substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his knee and ankle disabilities, as well as his claim for service connection for hearing loss, were denied. The RO assigned non-compensable ratings to the Veteran's left knee disability, right knee disability, and left ankle disability.