Knee decisions — 2006

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, and back disorders due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back, right knee, right forearm, and left shoulder disabilities are related to his active duty service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of the current 20 percent evaluations.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability, manifested by flexion to 110 degrees and extension to zero degrees with no pain on testing, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee and right middle finger injuries, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities were evaluated, and the RO denied increased ratings for cervical spondylosis, right carpal tunnel syndrome (major), left carpal tunnel syndrome, right knee disability, right bunion formation and slight deformity of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, left bunion formation and slight deformity of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, cholelithiasis and cholecystectomy with benign pancreatic cyst, surgical scars from the cholelithiasis and cholecystectomy with benign pancreatic cyst, and pilonidal cyst. The RO found that these conditions were not service-connected.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further development, including scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to the need for further development of evidence. The specific issues include a request for higher initial rating for facial scar, reopening of service connection claims for left shoulder and low back conditions, as well as other knee and leg conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no current disability related to the claimed conditions and did not find a link between any of the conditions and service.

The veteran's left knee disability, which includes a total arthroplasty with revision, is currently rated at 60 percent. The Board has granted this rating as the maximum available for chronic residuals of the knee arthroplasty beyond the one-year period following surgery.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, low back disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and bilateral knee disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of the veteran's left knee disorder and an increased evaluation for reflux esophagitis. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence of a current chronic ankle or knee disability, and thus the veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of degenerative disc disease, peripheral neuropathy, left knee arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's service connection claims for sinusitis with headaches, right knee disability, and left knee disability are denied. The Board finds that the veteran currently has a diagnosis of patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee but no current diagnoses for sinusitis or left knee disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there is no current evidence of such disability and thus not meeting the threshold requirement for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for further evidence, including VA treatment records.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since August 22, 2001. The effective date for service connection of fibromyalgia has been set to January 17, 2003. A TDIU is granted.

The veteran's right knee disorder has worsened, and he requests a new examination to determine the current extent of his disability. The case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating of his right knee injury with flexion contracture, chronic pain, and osteoarthritis has been granted at a 40 percent disability rating effective March 29, 2003. The RO should issue a Statement of the Case on the matter of entitlement to a higher rating.