Knee decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The VA examiner found the veteran had some impairment in short term memory and concentration, but not meeting criteria for a higher rating for PTSD. Service connection was denied for chronic sinus disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic sleep disorder, chronic skin disorder (presumed due to Agent Orange exposure), and bilateral knee/arm disorders.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for traumatic arthritis of the left knee, instability of the left knee, hallux valgus of the left foot with recurrent heloma molle, and hallux valgus of the right foot with recurrent heloma molle.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral ankle, knee, and low back disabilities as secondary to her service-connected pes planus. The claim for an increased rating for pes planus was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities do not warrant an increased rating or initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the current level of his right knee disability and whether he should be rated higher than 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for obesity and the veteran's right knee, left knee, right hip, left hip, and low back disabilities as secondary to his obesity. The initial rating for diabetes mellitus was also denied.

The Board found no evidence of a right knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, or an acquired psychiatric disorder that is causally related to the veteran's military service.,VA records show treatment for various injuries over many years post-service, including DJD of the right knee and recurrent depression attributed to pain from previous injuries.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and a need for an examination.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee arthritis and instability are granted, with a separate 10% rating assigned for genu varus of the left knee. The claim for TDIU is remanded.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the relationship between his service-connected diabetes mellitus and his claimed conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for left knee chondrocalcinosis as secondary to service-connected left foot disabilities. The issue of whether these conditions are related to his service-connected left foot disabilities remains unresolved and requires further development.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, right knee disorder, pes planus, residuals of a jaw injury, migraine headaches (claimed as secondary to jaw injury), and sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU were denied as there was no current evidence showing entitlement to these benefits due to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for a back disorder secondary to his right ankle disability was dismissed due to lack of timely filing of a substantive appeal. The TDIU issue is held in abeyance.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the veteran's current knee disabilities and hypertension to his service, and thus denied these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for his knee and low back conditions, finding no evidence of aggravation during service or significant functional impairment.

The VA determined that the veteran's right knee injury with chondromalacia and post-surgical ACL surgery does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The veteran's left knee disability, which is currently rated as 10 percent disabling due to arthritis with pain on motion, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of extension or flexion.

The Board found no evidence linking the current right knee disorder to service, and denied the veteran's claim.