Knee decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased initial rating and a prior effective date for his right knee disorder, finding that no communication seeking to reopen the claim was received before July 18, 1997.

The Board found no current left knee disability and denied service connection for the veteran's claimed left knee disability. The low back disability was also reviewed, but as there is a lack of competent evidence of a current diagnosis, the claim remains denied.

The veteran's service connection for residuals of a left knee injury is granted, and he is now receiving a 100% evaluation for PTSD since October 9, 1997.,PTSD has been increased to 70% from August 23, 2006.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have osteoarthritis of either knee and denied service connection for right knee osteoarthritis. The shin splints and stress fracture of the right femur with patellofemoral pain syndrome were also denied as there was no evidence of arthritis or other compensable disability.

The case is being remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the extent of the veteran's right knee disability, cervical spondylosis, and residuals of thyroid cancer status post thyroidectomy. The RO will then review the claims again.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and adjudication of his claims for increased evaluations for post-traumatic arthritis of the right knee and patella fracture with post-traumatic arthritis of the left knee.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of bilateral pes planus and service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, shin splints, and a bilateral knee condition as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The veteran's service-connected DJD of the left knee is rated at 20 percent, and his internal derangement of the left knee is rated at 10 percent. The Board found that neither condition warranted a higher rating based on the criteria provided in the Rating Schedule.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder is not related to his service and has denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current right knee, low back, or right shoulder disability and thus the veteran's claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her right ankle and knee strains have been partially granted, with some issues being denied. The specific details of the service connection theory are not provided.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right and left knee chondromalacia do not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent. The lumbar spine disability is also rated at its maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a right knee disability and declined to grant an initial rating greater than 10 percent for PTSD. The denial of both claims is based on lack of new and material evidence for the right knee disability, and insufficient evidence relating current PTSD symptoms to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a lung condition, back or knee conditions, or frostbite of the feet that are attributable to his military service. As such, his claims for these conditions must be denied.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative changes of the knees, resolving doubt in favor of the veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee and low back disabilities warrant ratings of 20 percent and 40 percent, respectively. The effective dates for these determinations are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various back, hip, leg, and knee disorders as well as left and right upper extremity disorders. The evidence does not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for her right knee disability, back disability, and generalized arthritis. The left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a left knee prosthesis and back issues, significantly limit his ability to work. The Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and schizophrenia. The case is remanded to obtain additional information regarding potential combat stressors and to schedule a VA examination.