Knee decisions — 2007

The Board denied service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome and degenerative joint disease of the knees, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated in service.

The veteran's status post residuals of excision of the right patella is rated at 30 percent, and his arthritis of the right knee remains at 10 percent. The appeal for increased ratings has been granted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and updated treatment records. The case will be reconsidered after the additional information is obtained.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected degenerative changes of the left knee and instability of the left knee do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent under applicable VA regulations.

The Board found that the veteran's right ankle disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent from October 23, 1998 to May 16, 2002. The issue of increased rating for traumatic arthritis, right ankle is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left heel or ankle disability and a left knee disability, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the former denial. The claim for a left knee disability was not granted as there is no competent medical evidence linking it to service.

The VA determined that the veteran's right knee disability, characterized by degenerative joint disease and a history of meniscectomy, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new examination and clarification of the veteran's employment status.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability. The decision found no nexus between current diagnoses and service, with a ruling out of sleep apnea and a finding that the left knee condition is not severe enough to warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, are denied. The medical evidence does not support the presence of chronic disabilities that meet the criteria for service connection under VA regulations.

The veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of whether he wants an additional hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The RO will arrange for a VA examination to determine if there is a relationship between her current left knee disabilities and her service-connected right knee disability.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied.,The RO found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen a claim of service connection for a low back disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a chronic disability manifested by hypersensitivity, joint pain, bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, left knee instability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, or swelling of the hands, fingers, legs, and feet, including as due to an undiagnosed illness. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board found that the appellant's current right knee disability is not related to her service, as there was no chronic injury during active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and no evidence linking it to a pre-existing condition. The VA examiner concluded that the current right knee injury most likely resulted from hemophilia causing joint bleeding.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a knee disorder and low back disorder, as well as his requests for increased ratings for hepatitis and post-operative residuals of a gunshot wound to the abdomen and right buttock. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chondromalacia of the left knee, with mild instability, warrants a 10 percent disability rating. Additionally, separate ratings for degenerative joint disease and loss of range of motion have been granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right leg injury, which occurred during reserve component service in August 1972 and resulted in an above-the-knee amputation due to increased severity of peripheral vascular disease, is service-connected.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the TDIU rating was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not warrant a higher schedular evaluation prior to December 29, 1993.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a lumbar spine disability and an increased rating for his right knee disability, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his service-connected left knee disability. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee prior to November 16, 2006 was also denied.