Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new opinion on whether any current knee disorder is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's right knee, thigh injury, heel disability, and tinea pedis have been granted service connection. The initial ratings for these conditions are all set at 10%.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 10 percent, and his left knee condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The current ratings are deemed appropriate based on the range of motion findings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees, esophageal stricture, and hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease were granted. The Veteran was assigned a 10 percent rating each for his knees and a 30 percent rating for his esophageal stricture and a 10 percent rating for his hiatal hernia.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the left knee, effective from September 5, 2006. The Veteran's current 10 percent rating for limitation of flexion remains unchanged.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of service origin or association with service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (migraine headaches, major depression with fatigue, degenerative changes to the knees, tinnitus, Hepatitis C, and a plantar wart on the right foot) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted his claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left foot drop and right knee arthroplasty, contributed to his death from renal failure. The decision is in favor of granting service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current knee and ankle disabilities are not related to his service, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder myofascial pain syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to her active duty service. The issue of a right knee strain was withdrawn by the Veteran during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for post-operative residuals of left knee chondromalacia was denied. The RO continued the current 20 percent evaluation, effective from February 14, 2009.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left elbow and right knee disorders due to incomplete records, including those from SSA, private providers, and VA clinics. The Veteran will be asked to clarify his relationship between any current disabilities of the elbows or knees and his service-connected low back disorder or non-service-connected vascular insufficiency.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since February 17, 2006. Since that date, the disability has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, near-continuous panic or depression affecting ability to function independently, appropriate and effectively, deficiencies in most areas including work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service records and the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person was denied as he is not so nearly helpless as to require regular aid and attendance. The claim for housebound benefits was also denied due to his ability to perform most daily activities.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 60 percent for the Veteran's left knee disability, effective from February 1, 2005. The previous maximum rating of 30 percent was already in place due to severe impairment including recurrent subluxation and lateral instability. Since December 15, 2003, when he underwent total left knee replacement, the Veteran has had chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying periods of active duty. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to address the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected left knee disability. The RO must ensure all necessary notification and development have been completed, including review of additional evidence since the February 2010 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's current right and left knee disorders are not service-connected. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that any current knee disorder is related to his active military service.