Knee decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and an increased rating, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen a claim for residuals of gonorrhea, and that the arthritis of multiple joints was not related to his service.

The veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development, including an examination and social and industrial survey.

The veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, low back, and right hip disabilities were reopened based on new and material evidence. However, the Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated in military service and are not secondary to a service-connected disability.

The veteran's right knee osteochondritis dissecans, by X-ray, has not manifested symptoms that would warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims to reopen service connection for degenerative osteoarthritis of both knees, as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disabilities as the conditions were found to have pre-existed service and there was no evidence of aggravation during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder as there was no evidence that it developed as a result of an established event, injury, or disease during active service.

The veteran was granted a separate 10 percent disability rating for deep scars to the right lower extremity effective from August 30, 2002. The criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of shell fragment wounds to the right leg and posterior portion of the right foot with retained foreign body, involving Muscle Group XI, were not met.

The veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, while the claims for bilateral hearing loss and right knee condition are denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for left knee instability was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability separate from the service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied based on his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for various conditions were denied as the evidence did not support higher disability ratings.

The veteran's claims file was misplaced and needs to be rebuilt, including a comprehensive search for missing records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain, left knee injury with patellofemoral syndrome, and left knee instability.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease, hypertension, respiratory problems (to include asthma), bilateral knee disorder, sleep disorder, chronic skin rash, and sexual dysfunction as there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's active service.

The appeal is remanded to obtain additional evidence, including VA treatment records and private medical records from the local orthopedist.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and a psychiatric disorder as there was no evidence of a current chronic condition related to the veteran's active military duty.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for herniated nucleus pulposus, lumbar spine.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and right knee scar, status post lateral shrapnel injury.

The Board remands the case for further evidentiary development to obtain a medical nexus opinion regarding the veteran's claimed back and bilateral knee/leg disabilities.

The veteran's right knee disability is manifested by some loss of motion and pain, but without flexion limited to 30 degrees or extension limited to 15 degrees.