Knee decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses for several of his claimed conditions, and thus service connection is denied. The remaining claims are also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee synovitis and right knee degenerative joint disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating than currently assigned.

The veteran's right knee disability has worsened, requiring a reexamination and potential rating adjustment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed right knee, right leg, and left shoulder disabilities are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated during his active duty.

The Board found that the veteran's DJD of the thoracolumbar spine does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, and his right knee disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating either. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disorder was aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's osteoarthritis in both knees and shoulders was not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of such during service. The medical opinions provided did not support a finding that the current conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and PTSD. The decision found that there was no verified in-service stressor for PTSD, and that the left knee disability is not related to service-connected right knee disability or active duty service.

The VA determined that the veteran's right knee disability, characterized by painful motion and limited flexion to 120 degrees, does not warrant a higher rating than the current 10 percent assigned.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for further development.,The veteran's claim for an increased rating for a gunshot wound of the left thigh is being remanded due to the need for further development.,The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for above-the-knee amputation of the right leg, with phantom leg pain, is being remanded due to the need for further development.,The veteran's claim regarding CUE in a June 1969 rating decision that did not grant service connection for arthritis of the left wrist is being referred to the RO for adjudication.,The veteran's claim regarding CUE in a June 1969 rating decision that did not grant service connection for loss of sensation of the left hand is being referred to the RO for adjudication.,The veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than August 21, 2001 for the grants of service connection for arthritis of the left wrist and loss of sensation of the left hand are being remanded due to the need for further development.,The veteran's claim for a TDIU is being referred to the RO for adjudication.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the relationship between his current knee conditions and his military service.

The veteran's left knee disability, post-arthroplastic total knee replacement, has not caused severe painful motion or severe weakness in the affected extremity; he does not experience nonunion with loose motion, ankylosis, or functional losses that equate to limitation of extension worse than 10 degrees. Therefore, a rating in excess of 30 percent for total left knee replacement is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability due to lack of evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and no continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any knee, shoulder or elbow disabilities that are service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred during active duty.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability, including arthritis, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to, or aggravated by, a service-connected right knee disability. The preponderance of evidence does not support the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for left knee injury residuals. The decision is mixed, as some issues are granted while others are not.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for reopening his service connection for a left knee disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disability is related to an inservice injury and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee degenerative joint disease and stomach condition, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the origin of the veteran's bilateral knee disorder, and a more definitive medical opinion is needed before service connection can be decided.