Knee decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her right knee, left knee, and low back disorders are denied as there is no evidence showing compensable limitation of motion or arthritis under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a personality disorder, low back pain, left knee disability, headaches, and right knee disability due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities or in-service incurrence/aggravation.

The Board denied a higher rating for the veteran's right knee disability, finding no evidence of severe recurrent subluxation or instability to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the knees and hypertension. The claim for hypertension was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for disability of the right knee, other than arthritis, prior to October 14, 2004, and beginning December 1, 2004.

The Board found that the veteran's postoperative residuals involving subluxation and quadriceps atrophy of the right knee did not warrant a higher evaluation, as it most closely approximated a noncompensable rating based on flexion limited to 130 degrees with pain over the last 30 degrees.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for her right knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and hemorrhoids were denied. The RO assigned a 10% rating to each condition.,Service connection was not granted for carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and providing updated notice under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee fracture residuals do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent. The left knee disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder are not service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. His hypertension remains rated at 10 percent, his right shoulder and knee disorders remain undiagnosed, and his spondylolysis of the lower back continues to be rated as intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral knee disorder, and hypertension due to a lack of competent evidence demonstrating a current disability related to these conditions. The examiner found no diagnosis of PTSD that conforms to DSM-IV standards.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a right knee disability and an increased rating for his right thumb disability, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The veteran is granted service connection for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and its associated joint disabilities, but denied service connection for valvular heart disease.,Service connection was not granted for residuals of rheumatic fever as the condition preexisted service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the claimed bilateral knee condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability related to his service, and thus cannot establish service connection for any of the conditions listed. The claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and VA treatment records. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions are inextricably intertwined with the issue of hypertension.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's left knee disorder to his military service and denied the claim.

The veteran's service-connected left knee disorder, characterized by degenerative joint disease and chondromalacia of the medial femoral condyle, is currently rated at 10 percent. The RO found that it does not meet criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of both his right and left knees, finding that there is no evidence to support a current diagnosis or link between these conditions and his military service.