Knee decisions — 2008

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of various factors, including staged ratings, functional loss, and alternative schedular criteria.

The veteran's death was not service-connected, and the Board denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to lack of continuous total disability for at least ten years prior to his death.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His post-operative right knee injury is rated at 10 percent, his hypertension does not warrant a separate rating, and neither the sleep disorder nor the itching disorder are service-connected.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for her service-connected left knee disability, finding that the current range of motion and lack of arthritis do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The VA granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and assigned a 10 percent disability rating effective from December 14, 2005.

The veteran's right hip disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling due to limitation of flexion, abduction, and extension. The knee disabilities are not separately evaluated as they do not meet the criteria for separate ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5260 (limitation of flexion) and 5261 (limitation of extension).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for schizoaffective disorder and rheumatoid arthritis of the spine, knees, elbows, and shoulders. The denial was based on a finding that the conditions existed prior to entry into service or were not aggravated by active duty.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for residuals of a fracture of the left femur with mild atrophy and knee disability, other than degenerative arthritis of the left knee was denied as his condition did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, right knee synovitis, and chronic pain in the left and low back knees due to an undiagnosed illness arising from the veteran's service in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including providing Dingess notice and obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's right knee disability is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected left knee instability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic right and left knee disorders were not incurred or aggravated by active service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The veteran's initial service connection claims for left and right knee injuries have been granted, with a 10 percent disability rating assigned to each knee.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an extension of a temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 beyond July 31, 2003, based on a need for convalescence following left knee surgery.

The veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for amputation of the right leg below the knee with residual dizziness due to medication, and entitlement to specially adapted housing. The case has been remanded for further development including obtaining additional medical records and a VA medical opinion.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability did not have its onset during service and is not related to any in-service disease or injury. The Board also found that his left knee disability was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for acne vulgaris with multiple cysts and a left knee disorder, finding that there is no evidence of chronic conditions in service or post-service. The examiner did not find any link between current diagnoses and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for left hip condition, heart condition and hypertension, and left knee condition have been denied.

The veteran's service-connected left knee postoperative torn anterior cruciate ligament resulted in a temporary total disability rating, which was granted from December 1, 2004 to January 31, 2005. The Board found that the extension of this rating through February 28, 2005 is warranted based on the need for crutches following surgery.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting left knee degenerative joint disease was aggravated by his active duty service, warranting service connection.