Knee decisions — 2008

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and diabetes mellitus, but granted an initial 20 percent evaluation for chondromalacia of the left knee.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, lumbago, low back pain, and a herniated disc, as well as an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for depressive disorder NOS, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral chest scars, and an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a current and chronic disorder of either knee, nor any evidence linking the claimed disorder to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders are being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any current left knee disorder.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and left shoulder disorder to obtain outstanding medical records and schedule a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities are being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration.

The veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and degenerative disease, right knee are being remanded for further development.

The veteran's right knee disability was granted a 20 percent evaluation, as the service-connected right knee disability is manifested by pain, swelling, slight limitation of motion, lack of endurance, inability to run, and frequent flareups, which approximate the limitation of function resulting from flexion limited to 45 degrees.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings.

The appeal was partially granted, as new and material evidence was found to reopen the claim for a right knee disability. However, service connection was not established for the right knee or bilateral ankle conditions.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder as it was not shown to be etiologically related to active service, nor was it proximately caused or worsened by the veteran's service-connected low back disorder.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current disability of the knees and therefore denied service connection for a bilateral knee disorder.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee conditions and right knee disability were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee arthritis and increased evaluations for stress fractures of both knees, as there was no evidence of current arthritis or limitation of motion that would warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's right knee arthritis was granted a 20 percent rating from July 15, 2002 to July 30, 2004.

The Board denied service connection for pneumonia with high fever, fatigue, crawling sensation in right lower extremity, bilateral knee chondromalacia, right wrist condition, and Achilles tendinitis as these conditions were not shown to be related to the veteran's active military service.

The Board denied service connection for left knee and low back disabilities, as there was no evidence of a disability in service or within one year of separation, and no evidence associating the current conditions with active military duty.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various injuries have been remanded to provide him with a travel board hearing.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and degenerative arthritis of the right knee, as these conditions were not shown to have been incurred in or aggravated by active military service.