Knee decisions — 2007

The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type II, with neuropathy is rated at 20% and his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right wrist with periostitis and ulnar impingement is rated at 10%. The other claims for increased ratings are denied. Service connection for hypertension remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, finding that they are properly rated as 10 percent disabling due to painful motion caused by arthritis. The claim for service connection for a back disability was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of a bilateral shoulder injury, back injury, leg numbness, neck disorder, or knee disorder etiologically related to active service. Therefore, his claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and an increased rating for rheumatoid arthritis of the sacroiliac joints. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and bilateral knee conditions, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and his active military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosis of a medial meniscus tear of the left knee is related to his military service, specifically an injury sustained during one of his weekend National Guard drills. As such, the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an examination to determine if the veteran's exposure to cold resulted in any permanent secondary debilitating effects on his hands and feet, including arthritis of the knees. The claim will be reconsidered after this development.

The Board granted the veteran's claim, assigning a 10 percent disability evaluation for his left knee disability effective March 8, 2002.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee, hip, foot, back, and respiratory disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The preexisting conditions were determined to have existed prior to service and no aggravation was shown during service.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the veteran's current right knee disability and his military service, including any exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, or other known risk factors. The claim was denied as there is insufficient medical evidence linking the veteran's current condition to his time in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, poor circulation, bilateral eye disorder, left knee disability, chronic liver disorder, nephropathy, pancreas disorder, osteoarthritis, and hypertension, were not incurred or aggravated during his period of active military service.

The veteran's right knee disability, which was initially service-connected in July 2002 with a 10 percent evaluation, is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The effective date for this award remains July 10, 2002.

The veteran's claims for service connection for cellulitis of the right knee and right arm were denied. The RO also did not assign initial ratings to his other service-connected conditions as they are not related to active military service.

The veteran's service records do not show any diagnosed respiratory, knee, ankle, arthritis, urinary tract infection, low back strain, eye condition, migraine headaches, or stomach conditions. The VA examinations and treatment records also did not provide evidence of these conditions during the appeal period. As such, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee osteoarthritis does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran's initial ratings for his low back and right knee disabilities were denied, with the Board finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating than what was initially granted.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the hips, hands, and knees. The veteran's panic disorder with agoraphobia is considered a separate diagnosis from his PTSD. A VA examination will be conducted to assess the severity of the right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, characterized by instability and severe varus deformity, warrants a 30 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 5257. Additionally, separate ratings of 10 percent each are assigned for arthritis under Diagnostic Codes 5003.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a lumbosacral spine disability, an ankle or foot disability (other than right foot fracture residuals), or a knee disability that is attributable to his active military service. The claims are therefore denied.