Knee decisions — 2007

The veteran's service-connected right knee and left knee disabilities have been rated based on painful motion, with the right knee having symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage. The combined rating for both knees is now 30 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee suprapatellar spur, and bilateral pes planus have been denied. The VA has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on current functional impairment.

The Board found no chronic knee disability in service and no evidence of degenerative changes within one year post-service. The veteran's current bilateral knee degenerative joint disease is not linked to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic degenerative arthritis of the left knee and assigned a 10 percent evaluation, effective from when the claim was first filed.

The Board found that the veteran's multiple joint arthritis was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Board found that the veteran's arthritis of the knees, back, neck, hands and shoulders is not due to a disease or injury incurred in service. The claim was denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for vision impairment, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to a lack of evidence showing such conditions were incurred or aggravated during his period of active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with prior instructions regarding an examination and opinion on whether there was an increase in severity of the veteran's preservice left knee injury during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any diagnosed knee, foot, shoulder, or low back disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability. The veteran's traumatic arthritis and instability of the right knee are rated at 20% each, with no additional ratings due to limitation of motion or x-ray findings.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for an examination to determine if the veteran's current right knee disability is related to his service, specifically his ACDUTRA period in 1979.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence and a request for a hearing. The case will be reviewed by the RO before further action can be taken.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including presbyopia, arthritis in hands and feet, tinea versicolor, thoracic spine condition, cervical spine condition, and tinnitus. The claim for an increased evaluation for sinusitis was also denied.

The veteran's left knee disability, previously rated as synovitis, is currently evaluated at a 10 percent rating. Additionally, he is granted a separate 10 percent rating for minimal laxity of the medial collateral ligament without arthritic changes.

The Board has granted a 30% rating for traumatic arthritis of the left knee and a separate 10% rating for traumatic arthritis of the right knee, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee/leg and right ankle disorders, finding no competent evidence of record showing that these conditions had their onset during active service or were caused by his service-connected left knee disability.

The veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected post-operative medial meniscectomy of the left knee with synovitis is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee, right knee, and right wrist disabilities. The evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board determined that recoupment of the veteran's separation pay in the amount of $24,039.94 is proper for his awards of disability compensation for bilateral hearing loss and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing due to the veteran's request. The appeal is not yet decided on its merits.