Knee decisions — 2008

The veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal regarding the November 1997 rating decision, and the RO did not waive timely filing of a substantive appeal.

The Board denied service connection for high blood pressure, skin rash, sleep disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, degenerative joint disease of the knees and ankles, and a bilateral hip disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher rating for his service-connected right knee disability.

The veteran's left knee impairment, including instability, is more often closer to severe than moderate; he always wears a hinged brace, walks with a cane and has to back down steps, limps. The veteran's left knee has severe degenerative changes representing virtually 'bone on bone'; he is a candidate for a total knee replacement but this is precluded by other health concerns.

The Board found that the veteran's left tibia and femur fracture residuals, right knee strain, and lumbar strain do not warrant higher ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of right knee instability, right knee limitation of motion, and bilateral shin splints, as the correct effective date is June 22, 2004.

The appeal for service connection for right and left knee disabilities is being remanded to the RO for further development.

The veteran's left knee disability was rated at 20 percent, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor. The claims for service connection for a right knee disability and Meniere's syndrome were denied.

The veteran's right knee disability was rated as 10 percent disabling from October 18, 1994, until March 7, 2007. From March 7, 2007, the rating increased to 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding no evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, as there was no evidence to support that his current condition was related to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected patellofemoral syndrome of the knees and scars were denied higher ratings.

The veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease was not related to service or the service-connected left knee disability.

The Board remands the claims for a VA examination to determine if any current intestinal, right hip, right knee, or right foot disability is related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board granted service connection for a skin rash, denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and direct or secondary service connection for a left knee disability, and remanded the initial rating claim for further development.

The veteran's above-the-knee amputation, left lower extremity, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, bilateral knee patellofemoral syndrome, and depressive disorder with somatic preoccupation as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The veteran's left knee disability is not manifested by ankylosis, extension limited to 30 degrees, or nonunion of the tibia and fibula. The dermatitis affects less than 5 percent of his entire body with no more than topical therapy required for treatment.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the orthopedic manifestations of the service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and right knee disability, but denied increased ratings for other conditions.

The veteran's right knee disability with internal derangement and osteoarthritis was denied an increased rating, as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on limitation of motion or other factors.