Knee decisions — 2007

Service connection is denied for all claimed conditions as there is insufficient medical evidence linking any current disability to active duty service or post-service treatment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee injury and left eye traumatic iritis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for her right knee disability and service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of severe instability or subluxation warranting a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5257. The veteran is also not entitled to separate ratings for limitation of motion due to arthritis. Service connection for PTSD was denied as the claimed in-service stressor could not be corroborated.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to document review of a February 2006 VA examination and issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board found that there is no competent evidence linking a left knee disorder to service-connected disability, including as a result of a fall caused by service connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a left knee disorder as secondary to service-connected disability was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bronchial asthma does not warrant a higher than 30 percent evaluation, and his right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The appeal is denied.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for Social Security Administration records and service medical records from Clark Air Base. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee disability, arthritis of hands, wrists, ankles, and feet, and high cholesterol were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.,Service connection for residuals of shrapnel wounds to the right shoulder disability is granted based on a combat injury during service.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of a cold injury of the right hand are currently rated at 20 percent, effective October 6, 2004.,The veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's right knee instability and strain have been rated at 10 percent, but the issues of a separate evaluation for limitation of motion and TDIU were denied.

The veteran's combined disability rating is 80 percent, and the VA medical opinions indicate that her service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluations of his right knee disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation prior to August 9, 2006 or an evaluation in excess of 10 percent beginning August 9, 2006.

The veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and information regarding his disability retirement application from the U.S. Postal Service.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating and service connection for his right foot disability, as well as secondary service connection for his ankle and hip degenerative joint diseases, was denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee and shoulder disabilities are being remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling VA examinations.

The veteran's dysthymic disorder is rated at 50 percent, GERD and IBS are each rated at 10 percent, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee is rated at 10 percent based on limited range of motion due to pain, and right knee laxity is rated at 10 percent. Sinusitis has not been assigned a compensable rating.

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for further development due to deficiencies in the VCAA notice provided and the need to reopen the claim of service connection for a left knee condition.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the service-connected unstable left ankle and granted service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy, but denied service connection for a claimed bilateral foot disorder. The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left knee disability and service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability for the claimed conditions and insufficient medical evidence to establish service connection. The veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, and bilateral pes planus (flat feet) are denied.