Knee decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right and left knee disabilities, ankle disabilities, temporomandibular joint disease, scars of multiple body parts, unspecified condition of the temple (other than scarring), vision loss, and headaches. The appeals were based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or secondary to service-connected disability.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for a jaw disorder and a bilateral elbow disorder, but denied all other claims due to lack of new and material evidence. The right knee and stomach disorders are not related to service, and an acquired psychiatric disorder is not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability warrants a separate evaluation of 10 percent for limitation of motion with evidence of arthritis, but not more than this level.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a postoperative left knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

Service connection has been granted for a disability of the cervical spine (C5-6 and C6-7), a growth on the left foot, degenerative changes in the left knee and distal femur, and a pulmonary disorder to include COPD. Service connection was not established for blisters of the feet.,The veteran's service connection claims were granted based on presumptive exposure to Gulf War conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and kidney/bladder disorders are all attributable to service. The veteran's teeth extraction is not considered service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and increased the rating for the right knee disability to 30 percent effective October 1, 2006.

The veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, specifically patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right and left knees with medial tibial stress syndrome, are currently rated at 10% each. The Board has granted increased evaluations for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of both hips, ankles, right knee, and back is likely due to his service-connected left leg shortening. The rating for a depressive disorder remains unchanged.

The veteran is seeking a TDIU based on his service-connected bilateral knee replacements and ulcerative colitis. The case has been remanded due to the need for an examination assessing the impact of these conditions on his employability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of migraine headaches or left knee disability due to service. However, as his preexisting conditions worsened during active duty, he is granted service connection for these disabilities on the basis of aggravation.

The Board found no evidence of chronic conditions related to the veteran's service, thus denying her claims for service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling examinations. The veteran's claims for service connection for right eye injury, left knee injury, and PTSD are pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support her contention that her shin splints caused or aggravated her current knee condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for neck, right knee, and left knee disorders. The RO also denied his claims to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder and psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The veteran's prostate enlargement is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum available under VA rating criteria.,The veteran's degenerative changes of the right knee are currently rated at 10 percent prior to June 15, 2006 and 30 percent beginning on that date. The current ratings for the left knee remain unchanged.,The veteran's residuals of frostbite of the right foot have been rated at 20 percent since August 4, 1998, with no higher rating available under VA criteria.,The veteran's residuals of frostbite of the left foot were initially rated at 10 percent prior to September 21, 2000 and remain at that level. A higher evaluation is not warranted due to lack of supporting evidence.,The veteran's hypertension has been rated at 10 percent since June 1, 1998, with no higher rating available under VA criteria.,The veteran's tinea cruris was initially rated at 10 percent prior to June 1, 1998 and remains unchanged.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a right knee disability that was present in service or is otherwise related to active duty service.

The veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected and non-service-connected disabilities, including a request for increased rating for flat feet, as well as claims for various other conditions. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The veteran was awarded a TDIU rating effective July 1, 2002, due to his service-connected disabilities. The earliest possible effective date is therefore July 1, 2002.