Knee decisions — 2008

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining a medical examination and opinion to determine the nature and etiology of any current back or right knee disabilities in relation to service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include a low back disability rated 40 percent, depressive disorder rated 30 percent, a left knee disability rated 20 percent, residuals of left medial meniscectomy and high tibial osteotomy rated 20 percent, and arthritis of the thoracic spine rated 10 percent, are reasonably shown to be of such nature and severity as to preclude him from participating in any regular substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and bilateral ankle disorder as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition, and no medical nexus to his current conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and retropatellar pain syndrome of the left knee, as the evidence did not support a higher disability rating.

The Board granted service connection for residuals of a left knee injury and a right knee injury, to include arthritis and deformity of the patella. The veteran's low back disability did not meet criteria for increased ratings in either time period.

The veteran withdrew her appeals for service connection and increased ratings, resulting in the dismissal of all claims.

The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for right knee chondromalacia and a 10 percent evaluation for residuals of chip fracture, left medial malleolus with post-traumatic arthritis from August 5, 2003. The claims for increased ratings for the veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease and cervical spine condition were denied.

The veteran's right knee condition was rated at 20 percent, and the claim for service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to the right knee condition was denied.

The veteran's claims for initially compensable evaluations for right knee tendonitis, lumbosacral strain, sinusitis, and hypertension are being remanded for additional VA examinations to determine the current severity of these service-connected conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic synovitis of the right knee and residuals of cervical disc disease are being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine current severity.

The veteran's service connection for PTSD was granted, and the ratings for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and residuals of a hemorrhoidectomy were increased to 10 percent and 30 percent, respectively.

The Board grants service connection for PTSD as the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to combat experiences in Vietnam.

The veteran's service-connected conditions of aseptic necrosis, right carpal lunate with secondary traumatic arthritis; residuals of a left hamstring injury with muscle rupture; and degenerative joint disease of the left knee were denied higher ratings.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, except for a 10 percent rating for left shoulder pain and impingement with history of partial dislocation.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development and readjudication, including consideration of secondary service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, right and left knee disabilities, and right and left ankle disabilities are being remanded to the RO for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, right hip and bilateral hand disabilities as there was no competent medical evidence supporting a finding of current disability or nexus to military service.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee condition as it was not shown to have been caused or aggravated by an injury or other event or incident of any period of active or inactive duty for training in connection with his National Guard service.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, left elbow disability, right big toe disability, and left knee disability as there was no evidence of these conditions during service or a link to service.

The appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current diagnosis and relationship of any left knee disability to service.