Knee decisions — 2006

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral knee, ankle, shoulder, and wrist disabilities to obtain additional medical records and to schedule an examination. The veteran's claim will be processed as if his hearing loss request was withdrawn.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability, prior to January 4, 2006, did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent due to lack of impairment from recurrent subluxation or lateral instability. As of January 4, 2006, the veteran was assigned a 20 percent evaluation for limitation of extension.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling VA examinations. The claims for higher evaluations of left knee patella dislocation and status post myocardial infarction with normal coronary arteries will be addressed after the additional development.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims of service connection for back and left knee disabilities, as there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his period of active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a dental disorder, left knee injury, and right foot injury with arthritic changes. The decision concluded that his claimed dental disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board found no current disabilities in the ankles, knees, or elbows and denied service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of a right fifth metacarpal fracture were granted, but the assigned rating is noncompensable. Service connection was established for osteoarthritis affecting his right hip, right knee, and left knee.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and other issues.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected left knee ACL reconstruction with traumatic arthritis, finding that the residuals do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and low back conditions. The claim for hepatitis B was also addressed, but not related to the main issues.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, shoulders, and knees as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for residuals of right knee ligament and meniscal tears, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a separate rating under any other applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the veteran's right and left knees have flexion from 0 to 130 degrees where he stopped due to pain, no instability, and no objective manifestation of dislocated cartilage. Therefore, a rating in excess of 10 percent for either knee is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability is related to an injury sustained during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current knee conditions and his time in service.

The VA determined that the veteran's right knee disability, which includes arthritis and instability, does not warrant an increased evaluation beyond the current 20% rating.

The veteran's bilateral knee conditions, including chondromalacia with patellofemoral syndrome and limitation of motion, have been rated at the lowest possible levels due to mild symptoms and no evidence of instability or significant functional loss.

The veteran died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His service-connected conditions did not cause his death, and there is no evidence that PTSD caused the suicide.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination.