Knee decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for right shoulder impingement syndrome, chondromalacia of the right knee, and chondromalacia of the left knee were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee scar and dental disorder, but granted outpatient dental treatment benefits due to the veteran's 100% disability rating.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of a non-displaced fracture of the left knee are rated at 10 percent since April 19, 1998. The evidence does not show that he has subluxation or instability warranting a higher rating under Code 5257. He currently has slight limitation in motion/painful motion due to osteoarthritis.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal as to his claims for PTSD, right knee disorder, and bilateral hip disorder due to lack of evidence supporting service connection. The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding PTSD prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability warrants a 10 percent rating, but no greater, under Diagnostic Code 5010-5260. This 10 percent rating is effective throughout the entire appeal period from April 11, 2001.

The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a right knee disability, but additional development is necessary regarding the underlying service connection claim.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities, including Reiter's Syndrome and various joint conditions. The RO will then re-adjudicate the claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to incomplete service medical records and requests for further examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, as well as his claim for a TDIU rating. The veteran's service-connected disabilities are currently rated at 40 percent combined.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have asthma or residuals of a left knee injury incurred in service, and thus denied both claims.

The veteran's appeal was granted, with a rating of 40 percent for his low back disorder effective September 26, 2003. The right knee arthritis remains at 10 percent.

The Board granted increased evaluations for the right knee injury and lumbar spine disability, effective from specific dates. The hypertension was also granted a separate evaluation.,A compensable evaluation (greater than zero percent) was granted for the veteran's right ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's left knee disability.

The veteran's dysthymic disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to his symptoms and functioning.,The veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which is appropriate given the limitation of motion. The next higher rating of 40 percent requires more severe limitations.,The veteran's lumbar spine disability is also currently rated at 20 percent, with no evidence supporting a higher rating due to his symptoms and functioning.,Both knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, which the Board finds appropriate given the veteran's limited range of motion and pain. The next higher ratings require more severe limitations or additional functional loss.,The veteran does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right hip, left hip, and osteoarthritis of the right knee. The claims for leg injury, low back condition, peptic ulcer disease, and increased rating for hemorrhoidectomy were also denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability as directly related to service. The claims for syncope and right knee disabilities, both claimed as secondary to syncope, are pending.

The veteran's service-connected low back disability, right femur disability, left femur disability, right tibia disability, and left knee disability are all rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent. The veteran's right ankle and left ankle disabilities have not been shown to warrant a higher than noncompensable rating.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee injury and sebaceous cyst removal from the neck were denied as there is no evidence of additional disability beyond what is already provided by the current rating.