Knee decisions — 2007

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected chondromalacia patella of both knees does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no evidence of severe recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, and flexion and extension are limited to compensable levels.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a temporary total convalescent rating under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 following surgical treatment of his service-connected right knee disability in April 2001, finding that he did not meet the criteria set forth in the regulation.

The Board has restored the 20 percent evaluations for the veteran's right and left knee traumatic degenerative joint disease associated with status post lateral/medial meniscus tear.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during either period on appeal.

The Board has denied the veteran's attempts to reopen his claims for service connection for a low back disability and right knee disability, as well as his claim for an increased rating for left knee disability. The decision also remanded the issues of service connection for right knee disability and increased rating for left knee disability.

The veteran's claim for service connection for traumatic arthritis of the knees and ankles is being remanded due to a need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's left and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for either knee disability.,For the left knee, the evidence showed mild to moderate arthritis with functional loss restricted to extension at 10 degrees, but no lateral instability or recurrent subluxation was demonstrated. For the right knee, there was no indication of limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including pain in both legs, back pain, dizziness and forgetfulness, and residuals of a head injury, were not incurred or aggravated during his period of service. The evidence does not support a nexus between any current diagnoses and service.

The case is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing and further development of the claim for service connection for depression. Other issues are also being remanded.

The Board will reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD and remand it to the RO for further development. The other claims, including those for a left knee disorder, right eye disorder, HCV, and an increased rating for pilonidal cystectomy residuals, are denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted.

The Board found that the veteran did not have anemia, thyroid disability, uterine fibroids, or right knee and leg disability incurred during active service. The claims were denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right knee injury is being remanded due to the need to review his service medical records and obtain additional VA treatment records. The veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if his current right knee disability is related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pes planus pre-existed service and did not undergo an increase in severity during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is denied.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left knee disabilities were denied. The RO found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for a meniscal tear and did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 or 30 percent for degenerative joint disease and chondromalacia patella.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for pes planus, hypertension, a heart disorder, or a right knee disorder. The claims are denied.

The veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for migraine headaches, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and lumbosacral strain are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board found that the veteran's left shoulder disorder is proximately due to his service-connected left knee TKA, and granted service connection for this condition.