Knee decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and a respiratory disorder, finding no evidence of such disorders during service or related to military exposure. The claim for PTSD was also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee injury and skin rash are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records.

The veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, effective October 4, 2006. The Board granted a higher rating for his left knee disability but denied service connection for gastrointestinal disability.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of low back strain with degenerative joint disease, right knee djd, and residuals of a right thigh abscess including muscle weakness, pain and scars is June 27, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no evidence to support his assertions of in-service injury or related disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claim for a bilateral eye disability and to increase his rating for right knee osteoarthropathy and patellar chondromalacia. The veteran's right knee disability is not rated higher than 10 percent due to lack of limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's internal derangement of the left knee with degenerative changes does not warrant a higher rating than 10 percent.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee, effective December 1, 2005. The veteran's claims for umbilical hernia and right knee pain were dismissed as he withdrew them prior to a decision.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for initial consideration of new evidence, including VA treatment records from December 2007 to present. A VA examination of the left knee must be conducted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling new VA examinations and requesting medical records from Fridley Medical Clinic.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disorder, finding that there was no evidence demonstrating a link between the condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA records and conducting medical examinations to determine the etiology of the veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board granted an increased rating of 30 percent for the service-connected right knee disability, effective from April 4, 2003.

The Board has determined that the veteran developed chronic disabilities in her right shoulder, right knee, left knee, and left ankle as a result of service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The veteran's adjustment disorder is rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating.,There is no current evidence of left wrist or right knee pathology that would warrant service connection.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected right knee disability, effective December 1, 2008. The veteran was previously rated at 20 percent for his status post surgery for torn medial collateral and anterior cruciate ligaments with partial tear of the medial meniscus of the right knee.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of left knee arthrotomy residuals was granted, and he is now rated at 10 percent. The right knee disorder claim remains pending as it has been remanded.

The Board found that the evidence did not relate the veteran's current right knee disability to his time in service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hallux valgus of the right foot and bilateral below-the-knee amputations, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the former claim. The Board also determined that there was no medical evidence showing a direct relationship between the veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's current left knee disorder did not manifest within one year of discharge and is not shown to be related to his service or any incident therein.