Knee decisions — 2008

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, effective April 21, 2003. Service connection for right shoulder disorder, bilateral knee disability, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss are all granted on a secondary basis to his service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete evidence and the need for additional examinations. The RO will secure all relevant medical records, arrange for VA examinations, and readjudicate the claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including the provision of VA examinations and consideration of her service-connected disabilities in determining whether she is unemployable due to those conditions.

The veteran's claims for hypertension and arthritis of both knees were denied as they are not shown to be related to service.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 28, 1995 for the assignment of a separate 10 percent disability rating for osteoarthritis of the right knee, status post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for his service-connected conditions, including erectile dysfunction, cervical spine disability, fibromyalgia, patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees, and bilateral pes planus. The veteran was also denied service connection for hyperlipidemia.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability, including chondromalacia patella and arthritis, is related to injuries sustained during his military service. As a result, the veteran's claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disorder and hammertoes with deformities were not incurred or aggravated by service.,Service records show pre-existing conditions, but no evidence of permanent increase in severity during service.

The veteran's current 20% evaluation for right knee ligament avulsion with degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, as there is no evidence that his employment is marginal or that he cannot secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders, finding that his pre-existing conditions did not increase in severity during service.

The veteran claims service connection for a right knee disability. The Board has ordered additional development of his medical records and an examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current right knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete medical records and need for additional examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and needs further examination to determine if any current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's DJD of the knees and legs, right hand, back, and right shoulder were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The cold injury of both feet was also denied as it is not related to service.

The veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent, and his left clavicle disability is rated at 10 percent for the period prior to February 24, 2004, and 20 percent for the period effective from February 24, 2004. The RO deducted 10 percent from the right knee rating due to a pre-existing condition that was aggravated during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee and low back disorders are not related to service or a service-connected disability, including his left knee disorder. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of the current evaluations.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for mitral valve prolapse syndrome, right knee chondromalacia patella, and mechanical low back pain were denied. The RO found that the conditions did not meet criteria for higher disability ratings.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's right and left knee disabilities, finding that they did not meet the criteria under Diagnostic Code 5257.