Knee decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, manifested by pain but no limitation of range of motion, does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under any applicable rating code.

The Board denied reopening the claims of service connection for arthritis of each knee to include as secondary to service-connected prostatitis due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to clarify the relationship between the veteran's right knee disability and his service-connected low back disability, as well as whether the knee injury was caused by the back condition.

The Board denied an increased rating for left knee retropatellar pain syndrome, finding that the veteran's flexion was greater than 45 degrees and thus not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 5260. The examiner noted some instability but concluded stability was satisfactory.

The Board granted a combined rating of 60 percent for the service-connected low back strain, with separate ratings for orthopedic manifestations and incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve in both legs. The veteran's bilateral knee disability was also found to be service connected.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right knee injury as there is no competent medical evidence showing that his current condition was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his calcifications right ankle, status post fracture and healed fracture right tibia, as well as service connection for a right knee disorder secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for his right ankle condition but not for his right knee disorder.

The Board found that the veteran's Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the right knee and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine do not warrant increased ratings.

The Board has granted a combined rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected right knee disability, which includes a 10 percent rating for arthritis and another 10 percent rating for instability. The maximum available rating under these codes is 20 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a left knee injury, to include traumatic arthritis, as new and material evidence has not been received.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus, a bilateral knee disorder, and a back disorder as secondary to pes planus due to lack of evidence showing aggravation in-service or current disability.

The veteran's combined disability rating was 70% at the time of his death, but he did not meet the statutory duration requirements for a total disability rating. The Board denied entitlement to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 due to lack of continuous entitlement to a 100% combined evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's short-term memory loss, fatigue, and headaches are due to undiagnosed illnesses incurred in service. The right knee disorder is secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's instability of the left knee does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's current gastrointestinal disability, GERD, was not incurred or aggravated by active service. The veteran's stomach problems in service were not related to his diagnosed appendicitis and no residual gastrointestinal disability as a result of the 1992 appendectomy was shown.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral knee disability preexisted service and was not aggravated by active duty, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The effective date of the award was granted.

The veteran withdrew her appeals for service connection for a bladder disability, anxiety, a sinus disability, and a disorder manifested by lumps in the breasts prior to the Board's decision.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including back injuries, leg and ankle injuries, knee injuries, hypertension, multiple joint pain, stomach disorders, and diabetes mellitus. The evidence submitted since the March 2003 decision is not new and material.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding no current disabilities related to his in-service injuries or eye procedures. The evidence does not support a grant of service connection.