Knee decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that there is no current medical diagnosis of a left knee disorder related to the veteran's active service or otherwise. The claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is denied.

The veteran's service-connected pelligrini-stieda disease, left knee with osteoarthritis and osteochondromatosis was rated as 10 percent disabling prior to February 27, 2004 and rated as 20 percent disabling from February 27, 2004 to present.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, sinus condition, bilateral shoulder condition, hearing loss, tinnitus, low back condition, and knee condition as they are not shown to be related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and notification under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service exposure, while his left and right knee disorders are also related to service. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for right knee and thoracic spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence of current disability in service or at any time since service.

The Board has found that the appellant's right knee chondromalacia is traceable to her period of military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right leg disorder, including his right knee arthritis, status post Achilles rupture, and status post hip fracture, is not related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee, right knee (secondary to left knee), and back disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disorder, which includes osteochondritis dissecans and degenerative joint disease, does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran's service connection claims are being remanded due to the loss of his service medical records and for further development, including VA examinations.

The veteran's right knee instability was initially rated at 10 percent and later increased to 20 percent effective June 1, 2004. Since July 1, 2007, the disability has been rated as non-compensable.,For atrioventricular block, status post pacemaker implant, an initial rating of 10 percent was granted effective June 1, 2004.

The veteran's right shoulder disabilities, including recurrent dislocations and arthritis, are rated at 20 percent. The left knee disability is rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected left knee and wrist disabilities have been rated based on their current functional limitations. The increased ratings requested for instability of the left knee, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, and a left wrist disability with arthritis are granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and initial compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss. The VA audiometric evaluations did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating in either ear.

The veteran's increased evaluation for chrondromalacia of the left knee is being remanded due to concerns about the adequacy of a previous VA examination.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for right knee instability and degenerative disc disease (DDD) L5-S1 have been denied. The RO has assigned separate ratings for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding the veteran's ability to secure and maintain employment due to his service-connected disabilities. The issue of TDIU remains on appeal.