Knee decisions — 2008

The Board found no evidence of a current cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine disability related to service. The left shoulder and right leg conditions were also not shown to be related to service.

The Board has granted the request to reopen the claim for service connection for a left knee condition. The veteran's current medical evidence supports the presence of a current disability and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and right knee disorders, both claimed as secondary to a service-connected left knee disorder. The evidence does not support the presence of current diagnoses or underlying conditions for these disorders.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of the lumbar spine or right knee that is related to his active service, including as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The veteran's initial rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder/post-traumatic stress disorder was granted at a 30 percent disability evaluation, and an additional 20 percent rating was assigned for his thoracolumbar spine condition. The right knee and lower extremity disabilities were each rated at 10 percent initially.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, assigning a 20 percent rating each.

The Board granted increased ratings for chondromalacia of the left knee and degenerative joint disease of the left knee, with a rating of 30 percent for chondromalacia as of September 9, 1999.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for instability of the right knee and limitation of motion of the right knee were denied as her conditions do not warrant higher evaluations under the applicable rating criteria.

The veteran's service-connected conditions have been rated appropriately, with the highest rating of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis and a 20 percent rating effective from September 26, 2003, for degenerative arthritis in the cervical and thoracic spine.

The veteran seeks service connection for arthritis, bilateral hip, ankle, foot, and left knee as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. He also seeks service connection for thoracolumbar spine disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to service connection and increased ratings for various knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as coronary artery disease.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the veteran's left knee disability, which may be related to his in-service responsibilities and combat injuries.

The veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his left knee disability, currently rated at 20 percent. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his current left shoulder, left elbow, and right knee disabilities. The examiner should determine if these conditions are related to service or other factors.

The Board finds that the veteran's pre-existing right knee disorder, which included internal derangement and osteoarthritis, existed prior to his entry into military service. The evidence clearly shows that this condition did not worsen during his active duty service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee injury with arthritis does not warrant a rating higher than the current 10 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and thus could not establish service connection for PTSD based on a verified stressor. The other conditions were also denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability and arthritis were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such during service and no continuity of symptoms after service. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that any current left knee disability had its onset in service.