Knee decisions — 2003

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, left knee disability, and right hand disabilities were denied. The claim for corns and calluses of the feet was not addressed as it is a separate issue.

The VA granted service connection for tendinitis of the left knee and assigned a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted increased ratings for chondromalacia of the left and right knees, with a rating of 20 percent for each knee.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and an increased rating for migraine headaches.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his right knee post-operative residuals, currently rated at 20 percent. The examiner found that the veteran's right knee had subluxation or lateral instability with moderate range of motion and slight limitation of motion.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including requesting additional medical opinions and examinations. The appeal is currently pending due to this remand.

The veteran's claim for service connection for polysubstance abuse is denied as it falls under a legal prohibition due to the nature of the condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are denied. The right knee condition is rated based on its current manifestations, while the skin disorder claim was not pursued due to a change in representation.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including obtaining clinical records from Dr. Peters and VA Medical Centers for Barrett's esophagus and right knee treatment.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence and clarification. The veteran's case is now being sent back to the RO for the requested development.

The Board found that the appellant's left knee disorder, back injury, cervical myositis, bilateral varicose veins, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss are not service-connected. The assigned disability ratings for his left knee disorder were upheld at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including hearing loss, knee and hip pain, nightmares and nervousness, and gout, were not incurred or aggravated during active military service. The claim is denied.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case due to pending requests for evidence and clarification. The appeal is about determining whether current right knee and left ankle disabilities are related to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has restored service connection for chondromalacia of the left and right knees, effective February 1, 1984. The veteran's claims for increased ratings remain pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's arthritis of the right hip and right knee are not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his service-connected lumbar strain or sarcoidosis.

The Board has found that the veteran's current right knee and right ankle strains are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has restored a 10 percent rating for the service-connected residuals of right knee surgery and assigned a 20 percent rating for arthritis of the right knee with limitation of motion. The veteran's chronic headaches are rated at 30 percent.

The veteran's erectile dysfunction due to testicular atrophy is granted as service-connected. The veteran's PTSD, which is also service-connected, warrants a 50 percent disability rating. The veteran meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for residuals of a right knee injury, finding that there was no basis for an earlier effective date than June 1, 1998.