Knee decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for his left ankle disorder, residuals of left shoulder surgery with degenerative changes, myositis of the lumbosacral spine, and right knee degenerative joint disease and patellofemoral syndrome. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and residuals of a left knee injury, but denied an increased rating for lumbar paravertebral myositis. The veteran's claims are remanded to obtain additional Social Security Administration records and to schedule the veteran for another VA spine examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection for knee and low back conditions are being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee pain, left knee pain, and lumbosacral strain. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied. However, the veteran's dysthymic disorder was rated at 50 percent since April 20, 2005.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability is not etiologically related to his service-connected left knee disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the status post salpingostomy disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from Dr. Juba and knee replacement surgery records.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an extension of the delimiting date for educational benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code, as her eligibility period had expired several months prior to her marriage.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and conducting any necessary VA examinations to determine whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims of service connection for schizoid personality with mixed neurosis and bilateral knee condition.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for his left knee disability and service connection for PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence, including obtaining personnel records, corroborating stressor information from JSRRC, and obtaining VA outpatient treatment records.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as cold injury residuals of the feet. The evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability is remanded due to inadequate examination report. The issue of service connection for a bilateral foot condition secondary to the right knee disability is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis, was not incurred in or aggravated during active service and is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound due to her ability to perform most daily activities with assistance.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and post-operative residuals of a left knee injury are not service-connected. The low back disability is granted with a finding of in-service onset. The acneform lesions of the upper back do not meet criteria for an increased rating. Tinea pedis does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right knee disorder warrants a combined rating of 20 percent, with limitation of extension and flexion rated at 20 percent and instability rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for right knee injury with laxity and arthritis of the right knee, effective from the date of service connection. The veteran's claim is denied as he does not meet the criteria for an initial evaluation greater than 10 percent for either condition.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's right knee conditions, but denied his claims for increased ratings. The initial evaluations for right knee instability and arthritis were found to be appropriate.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent evaluation for limitation of flexion and a 30 percent evaluation for limitation of extension, resulting in a combined rating of 40 percent for the left lower extremity. The veteran is not entitled to higher ratings under these criteria.

The appellant withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of his right knee disability, which was granted a separate 10 percent rating in March 2006.