Knee decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left knee injury and PTSD. The claim for residuals of a left knee injury was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted, while the claim for PTSD was denied due to lack of a diagnosis.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple knee issues, render him unable to work in other than marginal or part-time employment.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional VCAA notice.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for thoracic spine scoliosis and right knee strain, finding that there was no evidence of functional impairment due to the thoracic spine disorder.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased disability ratings for left inguinal herniorrhaphy, post-operative residuals of a left knee injury, and post-operative left orchiectomy. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the veteran's withdrawal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain and left knee disorder do not warrant higher initial ratings under either the old or new rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's knee disabilities during his National Guard service and the presence of current disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of bilateral knee disorders and denied an increased rating for right ankle disorder. The veteran's bilateral knee disorders are not shown to be related to his service-connected right ankle disorder.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (left ankle, left knee, and hypertension) resulted in a combined evaluation of 40 percent from December 7, 1998, to September 21, 2003. The claim for a higher combined evaluation is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back and bilateral knee disabilities are not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected flatfeet. The claims for increased ratings for flatfeet and conversion reaction have been denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no current evidence of the claimed disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral defective hearing and tinnitus, have not been found to prevent him from obtaining employment in his chosen field of operations management.

The Board found no evidence of a right shoulder, head injury residuals, eye disabilities (specifically dry eye syndrome and left eye cataract), or left knee disability that were incurred during service. The veteran's current conditions are not presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to certain hazards.

The Board found no evidence of a left knee disability during service and denied the claim for service connection. The issue of an increased rating for glomerulonephritis was also addressed but not decided.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and ankle disabilities, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left leg disability, finding that there was no medical evidence linking his current knee condition to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's left knee injury, which was aggravated by service. The right knee disability is rated at a noncompensable level due to lack of symptoms, but a compensable rating of 10% is assigned based on the presence of bony crepitus and mild pain.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and a left knee disorder, finding that these conditions are more likely than not incurred in active service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and inadequate VCAA notice.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for patellar-femoral pain syndrome, right knee, based on moderate functional impairment due to pain and atrophy.