Knee decisions — 2007

The veteran's service connected pes cavus is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board denied increased ratings for the bilateral ankle, knee, hip, back, and neck conditions due to lack of evidence supporting a relationship with active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and a need for further examination. The veteran's right knee disability is being reviewed, but no specific rating or effective date was assigned.

The Board has determined that the veteran requires aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities, resolving all doubts in favor of the veteran.

The veteran's TDIU benefits were granted effective from May 16, 2001. His left and right knee chondromalacia patella disorders are rated at 10% each since August 4, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for right knee degenerative joint disease and TDIU, but found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in a prior decision denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran is currently rated at 10% for his right knee condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an increased evaluation for his right knee disability, and the Court remanded it due to inadequate reasons. The case is now being remanded for further development.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for arthritis or other disability of the back, right hip, knees, and right shoulder. The veteran's current diagnoses do not support a finding that she currently suffers from these conditions. Service connection was granted for tinnitus incurred in active service.

The veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, low back disability, obesity, right hip disability, left hip disability, left foot disability, and left knee disability have been denied as there is no evidence of a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, low back disability, obesity, right hip disability, left hip disability, left foot disability, and left knee/ankle disabilities. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability based on new and material evidence, but further development is needed to determine if the condition pre-existed service or was aggravated by it.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's chondromalacia and complex regional pain syndrome of both right and left knees, which is the maximum available under VA rating criteria.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, which include degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left knee arthritis, hypertension, and otitis externa. The evidence did not show that these conditions alone prevented him from securing or maintaining gainful employment.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia of the right knee with a meniscal tear and chondromalacia of the left knee were denied as there was no evidence of instability or additional functional loss due to pain.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain and left knee disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of knee disabilities were denied as the earliest date entitlement arose was December 19, 2000.

The Board has determined that there is sufficient evidence to grant service connection for a lung condition manifested by shortness of breath, as due to an undiagnosed illness. The other claims have been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD. Service connection for PTSD is denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted service connection for additional disabilities and assigned a schedular 100 percent permanent disability rating effective October 13, 2004.