Knee decisions — 2005

The Board has granted service connection for left knee total arthroplasty as secondary to the service connected right knee disorder, but denied service connection for a low back condition on the basis that it is not related to service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU, finding that there was no evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to May 19, 2004.

The veteran's bladder neck resuspension is currently rated at 40 percent, which meets the criteria for this condition. The RO denied her claims regarding fractures of the left third and fourth fingers, bacterial vaginitis, left knee tendonitis, and right knee patellar chondromalacia and synovitis as well as her request for an earlier effective date for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, synovitis of multiple joints (knees, hands, left hip, and low back), and degenerative and rheumatoid arthritis. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen previously denied claims.

The Board granted service connection for acne and a left knee disability, and increased the ratings for costochondritis, actinic keratoses of bilateral hands, hemorrhoids, and umbilical hernia.

The Board denied service connection for defective hearing and a right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support these claims.

The veteran's service-connected lumbar disability was not found to warrant an increased evaluation, and his claims for other conditions were denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder disorder, right foot disability (plantar fasciitis), and right knee disorder (claimed as residuals of shrapnel wound). The claim for encephalitis was not addressed due to lack of evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and original disability ratings in several cases, including bilateral hearing loss, PTSD with bipolar disorder, right knee tendonitis, lumbar strain, acne vulgaris, and pes planus.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for minimal bicompartmental osteoarthritis and medial meniscus degeneration of the left knee, but denied an increased rating for the veteran's overall left knee disability due to lack of evidence showing limitation of motion to 60 degrees or extension to 5 degrees.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to pending claims and unadjudicated disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, bilateral hearing loss, recurrent kidney stones, and degenerative joint disease of the knees as these conditions were not shown to be related to service or any inservice disease or injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right knee injury with degenerative joint disease and limitation of motion, as well as for right knee instability, status post arthrotomy with ligament repair.

The veteran's migraine headaches, prostate disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and diverticulitis, bilateral knee disorder, respiratory disorders including sinusitis, asthma and bronchitis, and nasal polyps are all found to be related to service. The veteran was not exposed to radiation during service.

The VA has granted a 30 percent rating for post-operative left knee disability, effective from August 23, 1997. The veteran's foot drop is separately service connected.

The Board denied the veteran's spouse's request for apportionment of his VA disability compensation benefits due to the veteran reasonably discharging his responsibility for spousal support.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability is being remanded due to the need for further development, including verification of combat participation and examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the shoulders and knees are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and determine if the veteran was exposed to herbicides during service. The claims for service connection will be adjudicated based on the evidence of record.

The Board has granted an increased disability rating of 20 percent for the veteran's residuals of a right ankle sprain, postoperative residuals of a right knee injury, and right knee osteoarthritis.