Knee decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for lumbosacral strain, tinnitus, and residuals of toe fractures. The claims for higher initial ratings for knee disabilities (left knee status-post meniscectomy with chondromalacia of the patella, right knee strain with chondromalacia of the patella) and ankle sprains were also denied. The claim for a compensable initial evaluation for hypertension was not addressed as it is not related to service connection.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development of records and a readjudication. The veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder remains under consideration.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral knee disorder is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's current knee and low back disorders are not causally related to his period of active duty, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and an increased rating for major depression, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or service-connected disabilities. The effective date for service connection for major depression remains unchanged at June 2004.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and found that the veteran's current right knee disability is related to his military service. The issue of an increased rating for the left knee disability remains pending.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, but granted her service connection for chondromalacia patella of the left knee. The case is now remanded to obtain medical records and schedule the appellant for a VA examination to determine if her current right knee disability is related to her in-service fall.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to assess the current severity of the veteran's left knee disability. The claim for increased ratings will be remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right knee disability and service connection for a fracture of his right heel. The veteran's right knee was rated as 10 percent disabling, with no additional ratings granted due to limitations in motion or instability. Service connection for the fracture of the right heel was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, myopia with astigmatism and presbyopia, and COPD. The RO found no evidence of these conditions during or after service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals found that the veteran did not incur or aggravate a right knee disability during service and that any such disability is not caused by his service-connected left knee disability. The appeal was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of proper VCAA notice.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, compartment syndrome of the left leg, and compartment syndrome of the right leg.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for each knee, based on limitation of flexion and extension.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right and left knee patellofemoral syndromes do not warrant a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to the veteran's service, thus denying all claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain a more recent examination of the veteran's low back disorder, as his most recent examination was performed prior to his recent surgery. The issues are for increased ratings for both his low back and left knee disorders.

The veteran's bronchial asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, and no higher. The knee conditions have been increased to 20 percent prior to August 25, 2003, and to 30 percent since April 29, 2004.,For the knees, the veteran's chondromalacia with patellar tendonitis has not met the criteria for a higher rating at any time during the appeal period.