Knee decisions — 2005

The veteran's service-connected PTSD and left knee disability did not cause his death from cardiopulmonary arrest and cardiac arrhythmia. The Board found that the hypertension, which was diagnosed after discharge, was more likely than not essential in nature rather than secondary to PTSD.

The veteran's right knee disability is rated at 30 percent, and he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The temporary total disability rating for left ankle surgery has been granted until March 1, 2000. The veteran does not qualify for special monthly compensation due to lack of need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board found that the veteran's current right knee disorder is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disability warrants a 20 percent rating, effective as of the date of the July 1998 rating decision.

The veteran's bilateral knee and hip disorders are not service-connected. The Board found that the current diagnoses of these conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection, as they were not shown to be related to his military service or aggravated by a pre-existing condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a left leg disability, including knee and ankle disorders, finding that these disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The denial is based on a lack of credible evidence supporting the claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 10 percent for the veteran's left knee disability, effective May 3, 2004. A further increase to 20 percent was also granted effective May 9, 2005.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed as he did not submit a timely and adequate substantive appeal of the September 2002 rating decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of multiple joints and depression, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, which included generalized anxiety disorder (30%), chondromalacia of the right knee (10%), chondromalacia of the left knee (10%), right ankle sprain (10%), and migraine headaches (10%), did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 18, 1993.

The Board found that the veteran's hip, knee, ankle, and lumbar spine disabilities are not proximately due to or the result of military service or service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion and ensuring compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a right knee disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, bursitis of the left hip, and right Achilles tendonitis (claimed as right ankle pain) have all been assigned noncompensable ratings.,The veteran's left elbow pain has not been found to be service-connected.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current low back disorder, and his left shoulder disorder did not increase in severity during service. The Board also found no evidence of a current left knee disorder related to service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right knee meniscectomy residuals and left knee chondromalacia patella were denied. The RO found that the current evaluations of 10 percent are appropriate.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the evaluation from 20 percent to 10 percent for traumatic arthritis of the left knee was proper. From December 1, 2002 to the present, the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent are not met.