Knee decisions — 2007

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's right knee chondromalacia, effective from the date of the decision. The rating for sinusitis is also granted.

The veteran is service-connected for multiple disabilities, including a right shoulder disability rated at 40 percent disabling. The combined rating of his service-connected disabilities is 90 percent, meeting the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of issues related to service connection for left leg injury residuals, a left shoulder disorder, and a left knee disorder. The effective date earlier than November 17, 1998, for a 10 percent rating for a left thigh cyst removal residual scar is not addressed in the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee, finding that it is related to service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected postoperative internal derangement and traumatic degenerative joint disease of the left knee do not warrant evaluations in excess of the current ratings.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 20 percent for the veteran's left knee disability, effective January 28, 2005.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, lumbosacral spine, and cervical spine disorders. The claim for right knee disorder is pending as it may be related to a pre-existing condition.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance, which qualifies him for increased special monthly compensation at a higher rate.

The residuals of the symptomatic loss of semilunar cartilage of the left knee are not productive of more than mild impairment, and are manifested by periodic swelling, no more than mild periodic instability, and complaints of pain, tenderness, weakness, and occasional locking.

The Board has determined that a disability evaluation of 20 percent for the veteran's left knee internal derangement is warranted, as it meets the criteria for moderate disability.

The veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is not service-connected, but his irritable bowel syndrome and joint pain are considered presumptively related to Gulf War service.,Service connection for fatigue due to an undiagnosed illness is denied as there is no medical evidence of such a condition.

The veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on functional loss or instability. The claim for TDIU has also been denied as the veteran's service-connected disability does not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for osteoarthritis of the right hand, left hand, and right knee have been denied as there is no evidence of service connection or exposure to any presumptive conditions.

The Board denied a higher rating for the service-connected right knee disability on an extraschedular basis, finding that there was no evidence of marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.

The veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a left knee disability are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disability, degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The current condition is unrelated to a disease, injury, or event of service origin.,Arthritis of the right hip and left hip are not currently shown.

The veteran's claims for service connection for depression and organic brain syndrome (initially claimed as memory loss) were denied. The RO also declined to reopen a claim for myositis of the neck, obesity/pluriglandular syndrome, adhesive capsulitis of the shoulders, disabilities of the hips, elbows and knees, nosebleeds, low grade fevers, fatigue, skin sores, bleeding gums, or joint pain in the hips, elbows and knees. The veteran's claims for service connection for sore neck (claimed as due to undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability) were also denied.,The RO did not find new and material evidence to reopen any of the previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination. The appellant's representative seeks to reframe his claim as service connection for a spine condition but this is not addressed in the decision.

The Board found no evidence of a right knee disability, gastrointestinal disorder (ulcer or GERD), or hemorrhoids that can be linked to the veteran's period of service.,The veteran was not granted service connection for any of his claimed conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a Travel Board hearing.