Knee decisions — 2007

The Board denied service connection for right elbow bursitis and epicondylitis, as the evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.,The veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted a 40 percent disability rating initially. The Board found no basis to grant an increased evaluation beyond this initial rating.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for the residuals of an arthrotomy of the left knee and arthritis of the left knee, effective from September 9, 2002 to January 4, 2006.

The Board denied increased ratings for right knee osteoarthritis and instability, finding that the current ratings of 40% and 30%, respectively, are appropriate based on the clinical findings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee and left knee disorders are etiologically related to her period of active service.,The Board also found that the veteran's right hand and wrist disorder is etiologically related to her period of active service.

The Board has determined that an increased rating is not warranted for the veteran's knee disability on the basis of instability or subluxation. Consequently, no effective date will be assigned.

The Board has determined that further VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current left knee disability, including whether it is related to service or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability was not incurred or aggravated by active service, may not be presumed to have been incurred in service, and is not related to a service connected disease or disability. As such, the claim for service connection for the left knee disability is denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for a comprehensive medical examination and opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities, specifically those involving his low back and knees. The claim will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's right knee instability since February 12, 2004. The veteran is also rated at 10 percent for his degenerative joint disease of the right knee.

The veteran is seeking compensation benefits for additional left knee disability as a result of VA surgical treatment in November 1996 and June 1998. The Board has remanded the case to allow for further development.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for right lower extremity and left knee disabilities were denied. The RO assigned a combined evaluation of 20 percent, which was reduced to 10 percent due to the termination of separate service connection.

The veteran's right ear hearing loss claim was denied, but he received an effective date of August 1, 2001 for the award of service connection for lumbar strain, left hip bursitis, left knee tendonitis, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development, including obtaining a rationale from the VA clinician who provided an opinion regarding whether the veteran's service-connected right knee disability caused or aggravated his left knee arthritis.

The Board denied the veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hip and ankle disorders, as well as her left knee disorder. The decision also noted that VA has obtained new and material evidence to reopen her right hip disorder claim.

The Board has granted service connection for tendonitis of the right shoulder, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, and a right knee disability as secondary to the veteran's service-connected left wrist disability.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the minimum schedular criteria and are not shown to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for right knee pain, chronic low back pain, and a skin condition due to lack of new and material evidence. The veteran's pulmonary sarcoidosis was also found not to meet criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are not shown to be productive of a disability picture that precludes her from securing and following some form of substantially gainful employment consistent with her education and work experience. The Board concludes that the veteran is not entitled to a TDIU rating.

The Board has denied service connection for the veteran's claimed knee, hip, and spine conditions as they are not related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining missing service medical records and scheduling a VA examination for PTSD. The veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection, and new and material evidence are also being addressed.