Knee decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his right knee, status post total knee arthroplasty, is being remanded to provide the veteran with an updated VA examination.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for internal derangement, left knee, is being remanded to obtain additional evidence.

The appeal was dismissed due to the veteran's death.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and severity of the veteran's service-connected PTSD and residuals of a fracture of the left femur.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip, left ankle, left hand, left knee, back, and hemorrhoid disabilities as there was no evidence of currently diagnosed disorders.

The veteran is entitled to separate initial evaluations of 10 percent for retropatellar pain syndrome with degenerative joint disease of the right and left knees from September 1, 2000 until September 1, 2001. No higher evaluation is warranted for either knee after that date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders as there was no evidence of a current disability.

The appeal is remanded for additional development to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to decide these benefits.

The veteran was granted separate ratings for instability and arthritis of the left knee prior to December 13, 2004, with a 30 percent rating for instability and a 10 percent rating for arthritis.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability was reopened and granted based on new and material evidence showing that the disability existed prior to service but was aggravated by his second period of active duty.

The Board found that the evidence preponderates against a grant of service connection for both a bilateral foot disorder and a left knee disorder.

The Board found that the veteran's current claimed left and right knee disorders are not a result of any established event, injury, or disease during active service.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and consideration of the veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for residuals of left knee injury.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a right forearm fracture was denied, as the evidence did not support an increased rating.

The veteran's lumbar spine and knee disabilities were rated at 10 percent, which was the maximum allowed under the applicable rating criteria.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia of the left and right knees were denied as the current disability levels did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic nosebleeds and a left knee disorder, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or event that could have caused these conditions, and noting that any symptoms did not manifest until many years after his separation from service.

The veteran's patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative joint disease of both knees was denied an initial rating greater than 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer, left knee arthritis, and residuals of a right knee injury as they were not shown to be related to his military service. The claim for PTSD was also denied.