Knee decisions — 2008

The Board found that the veteran's arthritis of the upper back, lower back, knees, wrists, feet and hips did not have its onset in service or within one year thereafter. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected left knee tendonitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, left tibialis muscle strain, and inguinal hernia scar as there was no evidence showing that any of these conditions warranted a compensable rating under VA's schedular criteria.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the claimed disabilities, including bilateral ankle and elbow disabilities. The veteran's complaints of pain have not been supported by clinical findings or diagnoses.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have diagnoses of certain conditions, and there is no competent medical evidence linking his military service to any current disabilities. Therefore, these claims for service connection are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher initial rating and an earlier effective date for his hypertension. The veteran was granted service connection for hypertension in May 2003, but the RO assigned a disability rating of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, during service or within one year thereafter. The residuals of a back injury and bilateral knee injuries are also not shown to be related to service. Hearing loss is not demonstrated as a disability under VA regulations.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left knee and chronic left knee strain with instability were denied as his conditions did not warrant higher evaluations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case will be processed again with the opportunity for a videoconference hearing.

The Board granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, effective November 17, 2004.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right knee condition is a result of aggravation during military service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for bilateral degenerative joint disease of the knees, hips, and lumbosacral spine have not been substantiated by new and material evidence. The RO denied these claims in July 2003, and no new or additional evidence was received within one year of that decision.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability, which includes arthritis and instability, warrants a combined rating of 10 percent for limitation of motion and instability.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but the Board is remanding the case to determine if his unemployability is due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a right knee, low back, or left hip disorder during service and the competent medical opinion is against any causal link to service. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability is currently manifested by symptoms of pain and flexion limited to 90 degrees. The evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee disorder, diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis, is related to his service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed left knee, neck, and back disorders are not related to service. The tinnitus claim is also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of a back injury, left knee injury, or cervical spine injury linked to service on any basis. Service connection is therefore denied for these conditions.

The veteran's cervical strain, myositis, ankle sprains, and patellofemoral syndrome of the knees were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and laxity, is service-connected as it is a direct result of his active duty service.