Knee decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disorder, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The right knee chondromalacia with internal derangement was granted a 20% disability rating, while left knee tendonitis received a 10% disability rating.

The VA determined that the veteran's right knee disability, which is currently rated at 20 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5262 (limitation of leg flexion), does not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected osteoarthritis of the right elbow, chronic instability of the left ankle, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board found that the evidence submitted since the February 2000 RO decision is not new and material, thus denying the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a left knee condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for chronic sleep disorder, chronic back disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and bilateral knee disorder. The conditions were not found to be related to his active duty service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records and possibly a VA examination, as well as readjudicate the claims under all appropriate statutory and regulatory provisions.

The Board has determined that the RO did not properly consider the veteran's claims for service connection and remanded them for further action.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of his service-connected right knee chondromalacia, as it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has found no evidence of a current bilateral knee disability and the veteran's service records do not show any complaints, treatment, or findings related to such condition. The denial is based on lack of medical evidence supporting the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination to determine the severity of the veteran's service-connected left knee disability and the etiology of any right knee disability. The claims will be adjudicated on a direct and secondary basis.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of a skull concussion. The veteran does not have blindness, hypertension, or right or left knee disabilities that are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and bilateral calcaneal spurs, finding that there is no current disability related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disorder is aggravated by his service-connected left knee disorder, and thus grants secondary service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder is not related to his military service, and thus denied this claim.,However, the veteran was diagnosed with PTSD as a result of in-service stressors, which were found to be consistent with combat experience. The claim for PTSD was granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review of all pertinent evidence, including SSA records. The veteran's PTSD claim is on appeal, as well as his request for a higher evaluation for his right tibia disability.

The veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either knee based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disorder clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service, but did not undergo any increase in severity during service. Therefore, the Board determined that the veteran is not entitled to service connection for his left knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's joint pain of the knees, elbows, and hands was not incurred in active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right knee disability, diagnosed as chondromalacia patella and internal derangement, is due to an inservice right knee injury. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied a higher initial evaluation for the veteran's right knee injury, status post meniscectomy, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under Diagnostic Code 5257.