Knee decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic right and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim for diabetes mellitus. The veteran's diabetes mellitus was granted based on a current diagnosis.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected atypical vascular /migraine headaches, effective from February 24, 1993. The other issues on appeal have been referred to the RO for further action.

The Board found that the evidence did not show a right knee disorder was caused or made worse by active military service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left knee, effective from May 2002.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for tendonitis of the left knee and service connection for costochondritis, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating or a link to service.

The VA determined that the veteran's left knee disability, characterized by pain, swelling, and limited range of motion, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of the current 20 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and increased evaluations for his left lower extremity disabilities. The evidence did not support the presence of an underlying objectively demonstrated right knee disability, nor was there any indication that the current complaints were related to his service-connected conditions.

The veteran's left knee disability, postoperative residuals of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and arthritic changes, is rated at 20 percent under the appropriate diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA physician to review the claims file and provide opinions regarding whether it is at least as likely as not that the veteran's service-connected left knee disorder caused or aggravated his right ankle and/or right knee disorders.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding medical records and a VA examination.

The Board finds that the veteran's left knee disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete development of records.

The Board denied service connection for chondromalacia of the right knee and residuals of an abrasion of the left knee. The claims for reopening of low back, neck, shoulder, and narcolepsy were also denied. Service connection was not granted for pes planus.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his shoulder and knee disabilities are being granted.,For the left shoulder, a rating greater than 10 percent is denied prior to August 13, 2000, but since then he has been rated at 20 percent. For the right shoulder, a rating of 20 percent is granted effective from October 16, 2002.,For his left knee disability, which was service-connected in March 2003, a 20 percent rating is granted since its effective date of September 16, 2002. For the right knee disability, a 20 percent rating is also granted since October 16, 2002.,The veteran's claim for TDIU has been granted based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disorder, diagnosed as osteocartilaginous exostosis of the right lateral femoral metaphysis, did not undergo an increase in severity during service and is unrelated to any inservice events. The left knee disorder was also denied as it did not originate during active duty and is not related to any inservice events.

The veteran's claimed disabilities, including joint pain and other symptoms, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The VA has determined that there is no positive association between exposure to herbicides and any of the conditions listed.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disability was not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or similar fault. Therefore, his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied.

The veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD; dysthymic disorder, service connection for sleep apnea, and reopening the claim for left knee arthritis were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for left knee arthritis.

The Board has ordered a remand for the veteran to be scheduled for an examination and medical opinion regarding his knee, back, and psychiatric disorders. The case will also be reviewed to determine if there is new evidence that could reopen his claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee disability is proximately due to or caused by his service-connected low back disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.