Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left knee instability and arthritis, as well as an extension of a temporary total disability rating. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board affirmed the determination that the veteran's service-connected DJD of the right knee, status post arthroscopy with muscle atrophy, warrants a 30 percent evaluation. A separate 10 percent rating was granted for arthritis of the right knee based on painful motion.

The Board found that the veteran did not have arthritis or right knee until after service and does not have arthritis of the legs or knees as a result of a disease or injury in service or as a result of a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently suffer from left hip arthritis or left knee arthritis, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of her right knee condition. The issue remains whether she is entitled to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for her service-connected right knee disorder.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed bilateral knee, hip, and shoulder disorders did not have their onset during active service or result from disease or injury in service. The preponderance of evidence is against his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right hip replacement was caused by his service-connected left knee disorder. The rating for post-traumatic arthritis of the left knee is granted at a 60 percent evaluation, and the hearing loss condition does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for traumatic bulging disc, L5-S1. The veteran's chronic tendinitis of the knees was found to warrant a noncompensable rating.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hip and knee disabilities, along with his dementia, contributed to his death by causing significant impairment in his ability to care for himself.

The veteran's right and left knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, reflecting the severity of his symptoms.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability and an increased rating for residuals of a fracture of the left fifth fingertip. The veteran was previously awarded noncompensable service connection for the fifth finger disability, which was later increased to 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a separate 20 percent rating for laxity of the left knee was granted. The effective date is not specified as it falls within the general rule.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine and left knee disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's left and right knee disabilities, diagnosed as chondromalacia, do not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent due to their current range of motion. The RO had previously granted increased evaluations for both knees to 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete responses from the VA examiner regarding the etiology of the veteran's pes planus, bilateral knee and back disorders.

The Board has granted a 10% disability evaluation for the veteran's narrowing of the left temporomandibular joint space, finding that it meets the criteria for this rating. Service connection for the left knee disability was denied.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for his right knee, status post arthroscopy.

The Board has remanded the veteran's appeal due to additional development of his medical records and a VA examination is needed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a genitourinary infection and bilateral knee arthritis, finding no current evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left knee was incurred or aggravated in his active service and grants the claim for service connection.