Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further examination and development of evidence regarding the Veteran's left ankle disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, finding that his left knee disability did not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent from August 1, 2006 to February 13, 2008. The issues of evaluating his condition beyond this period and seeking secondary service connection were also denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee. The issues of service connection for depression and coronary artery disease with history of myocardial infarction are also addressed, but not decided on this remand.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, hearing loss, right knee disability, osteoarthritis of the hips, left hand disability, flat feet, and depression. The evidence submitted did not provide a link between these conditions and service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skin disability, PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, diabetes mellitus, lung disability, right knee disability, gallbladder disability, drug addiction, and cardiovascular disability. The appeals were not addressed on the merits of these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected knee, ankle, shoulder, and elbow disabilities have not met the criteria for a higher initial evaluation throughout the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right left knee disability did not require an extension of her temporary total rating beyond March 31, 2003.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and ankle disabilities, as well as his requests for increased ratings. The appeals have been remanded multiple times due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's right knee disability, which already received a temporary 100 percent rating for convalescence following total knee replacement surgery, is now rated at 60 percent. The Board denied an increased rating higher than the existing 60 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 30 percent for postoperative residuals of a right knee injury with internal derangement, status post menisectomy with tendon transfer was granted.,A separate initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for severe osteoarthritis of the right knee with decreased range of motion on extension and chronic pain prior to April 5, 2008 was granted.,An increased evaluation in excess of 40 percent for severe osteoarthritis of the right knee with decreased range of motion on extension and chronic pain from April 5, 2008 was granted.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with bunionectomy and Achilles tendonitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his mental health condition and multiple physical impairments, render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and compensation for pseudofolliculitis barbae with facial scarring, right knee degenerative joint disease, and left knee degenerative joint disease. The earliest effective date that can be assigned is November 19, 2002.

The Board denied the Veteran's attempt to reopen her claim for service connection of a bilateral knee disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board has granted compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of a broken left leg, osteoarthritis of the left knee, and osteoporosis of the left knee due to VA medical treatment on September 16, 1996. The claim for compensation related to right tibia fracture, bilateral lower extremity staph infections, and bilateral lower extremity osteomyelitis was denied as there is no indication that these conditions are proximately due to VA care or an unforeseeable event.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of the veteran's right knee disability. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's ratings for his knee disabilities were reduced, effective November 1, 2004. The reductions were proper as the Veteran's conditions had improved.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left knee and right knee disabilities has been granted, with a rating of 10 percent assigned for each. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disorders. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his time in service.,Service connection was also denied for a back disorder.