Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted a 60% disability rating effective November 27, 2000. The Veteran also received an increased rating for his costochondritis from 10% to 60%. No other issues were addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for patellar facet arthritis of the left knee was denied by the Board. The current evaluation is 10 percent, and there is no evidence to support a higher rating based on the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and instability of the right knee prior to March 6, 2006 was not compensable. Since March 6, 2006, a separate 10 percent rating for instability has been granted.

The Veteran is permanently and totally disabled due to service-connected disabilities, including her left hip and spine conditions, which together with the residuals of her organic injuries so affect her balance that she cannot locomote without a cane or walker. The criteria for specially adapted housing assistance have been met.

The VA denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her service-connected right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support ratings higher than the current 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right ankle disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current disability, and there was no medical opinion linking his current conditions to service.

The Veteran's left knee instability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has granted a separate rating for his left knee instability, but the original claim of increased disability for left knee arthritis remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's left knee synovitis, chondromalacia, and total knee replacement residuals are currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling. The RO granted a temporary total evaluation for the period from September 20, 2006 to October 1, 2007.

The Board found no evidence of right knee arthritis during service or for many years thereafter, and concluded that the current condition is not related to military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional evidence and claims that need to be considered.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right knee traumatic arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new examination to assess the severity of the service-connected disability and determine if there is any additional range-of-motion loss.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for higher ratings and service connection claims related to his left knee, right knee, and right little finger disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability and found that new and material evidence has been received. The Board also determined that the current right knee disability is at least as likely as not related to an injury sustained in service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for postoperative left knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination report and relevant medical records.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 30 percent disabling from April 1, 2009 forward. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or non-union of the tibia and fibula with loose motion requiring a brace. However, there was slight instability noted in the June 2009 VA examination report.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by internal derangement and degenerative joint disease, was rated at 20 percent from February 1, 2005 to October 13, 2005. The appeal is denied as the criteria for a higher evaluation are not met during this period.

The Board found no current diagnoses of right or left knee disabilities and denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is currently rated at 10 percent for degenerative joint disease, with separate ratings of 10 percent each for limitation of extension and instability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.