Knee decisions — 2007

The Board found that the veteran's current left knee disability is not related to her military service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for the veteran's service-connected low back and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not show a marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization due to these conditions. The TDIU claim was also denied as the combined disability rating did not meet the required threshold.

The veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for limitation of motion. The RO has not granted any additional ratings based on other diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, a left knee disorder, back pain, thyroid disorder, and vision impairment due to lack of evidence showing these conditions arose during active duty or were caused by exposure to noise or other factors in service.

The Board denied an initial increased rating for the veteran's left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disorders, as they are not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disorder is etiologically related to his service-connected patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and/or a low back disorder, to include as secondary to his service-connected left and right foot disorders.

The veteran's tibial collateral ligament rupture in the left knee is currently rated at 20 percent, and he also has a limitation of flexion that warrants an additional 10 percent rating. The combined evaluation for these conditions results in a total of 30 percent disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for left and right knee chondromalacia, as well as his claim for a compensable rating for bilateral pes planus. The evidence does not support an increase in disability ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and low back conditions due to incomplete notice being provided.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for amblyopia, initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for his right knee disability, and initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disorder and migraine headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 20 percent rating for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine. The other claims are pending further development.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee and low back disorders were not incurred or aggravated by service, and arthritis of these areas may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The right wrist tendonitis was also denied as a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current conditions to her service, including hypertension, migraine headaches, left knee disorder, and neck disorder. Therefore, service connection was denied for all issues.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for the veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims of service connection for right knee and ankle disabilities, as her injuries resolved within a few weeks after military service. The preponderance of the evidence did not indicate any current disability was related to her in-service injuries.

The Board denied service connection for the residuals of a right knee injury, back disorder, and lung disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for DJD of the right knee, finding that it is more likely than not related to a pre-existing condition from 1991 and did not worsen during active duty.

The VA denied a compensable rating for the veteran's right knee arthralgia, finding that his current symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.