Knee decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an extraschedular evaluation for his service-connected right knee disability from July 9, 2002, to August 25, 2005.

The veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left knee disability and TDIU are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports, failure to follow previous Board remand instructions, and the need for additional development of the record.

The Board found no evidence of arthritis in the left knee and denied service connection for left knee arthritis. The right knee disability was also not granted as secondary to the service-connected left knee patellofemoral syndrome.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right knee and left knee disabilities have been denied. The appeal for a temporary total rating due to convalescence following surgery is pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as his claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left shoulder impingement. The decision also noted that he was not entitled to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including a lower back disability, right shoulder deformity, left knee disability, mild cortical deformity of the left medial malleolus, herpes, gum disease, right ankle condition, heart condition, and right knee condition. The reasons for denial are provided in the decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to the unavailability of service medical records and the need for further examination and opinion regarding the veteran's claimed bilateral knee condition and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition and rheumatoid arthritis, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that led to current disabilities. The claim for service connection was based on exposure to hazardous weather during military operations but this did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee injury and splenectomy were denied. The Board found that the current evaluations of 30 percent are appropriate.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to missing medical records and a need for an orthopedic examination.

The Board denied increased ratings for loss of anal sphincter control and left knee disorder, finding the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the veteran's symptoms.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and right knee conditions, as well as his claim for TDIU benefits. The RO continued the current disability ratings of 50 percent for bilateral hearing loss and 10 percent for right knee arthritis.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for her left knee disability is being remanded to the RO for additional development and readjudication, including a new VA examination and consideration of an extraschedular rating.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to inadequate notice and because of the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from VA and Social Security Administration.

The veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis has not met the criteria for a compensable evaluation from September 1, 1993.,From September 1, 1993 to September 16, 1996, the residuals of the right ankle fracture did not meet the criteria for any specific rating. From September 17, 1996 to October 7, 1998, a 10 percent evaluation was assigned based on moderate limitation of motion.,From October 8, 1998 onwards, the residuals of the right ankle fracture did not meet the criteria for any specific rating. From August 24, 2006 onwards, no specific rating has been met.,The veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent from September 1, 1993.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence showing a current diagnosis or relationship between the veteran's right knee and left ankle disorders and his service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left knee. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, post-operative residuals of a right knee injury, and dental trauma. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral shoulder disability, right knee disability, right elbow disability, a disability of the right hand and fingers, lupus erythematosus, generalized degenerative arthritis, hypertension, Sjogren's disease, stomach disability, prostate disability, residuals of a fractured right forefinger, and residuals of an injury to the veteran's left side. The Board found that the evidence received since the February 2000 decisions is not new and material.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disability, characterized by chondromalacia and arthritis with limitation of motion, did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent under applicable diagnostic codes.