Knee decisions — 2008

The veteran's military service does not meet the threshold eligibility requirements for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes due to insufficient wartime service.

The veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection were denied. The VA found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or impairment of the sciatic nerve, and denied service connection for left knee and hip disabilities as secondary to his herniated nucleus pulposus.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of left knee osteochondritis dissecans, finding that the earliest date service connection could be granted is June 4, 2004.

The veteran's service-connected knee disabilities meet the schedular requirements for TDIU, but a VA medical opinion is needed to determine if these conditions render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied service connection for a left knee disability, including arthritis of the left knee. The veteran's claim for PTSD and cold weather injuries to hands and feet is also denied.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeals for higher initial disability ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board granted an increased evaluation of 10 percent for the service-connected right knee disorder beginning January 10, 2008. The veteran's condition was characterized by limited extension to 10 degrees and flexion to 62 degrees.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his bilateral knee and cervical spine disorders, laceration and cellulitis of the left hypothenar area, right bunionectomy, left bunionectomy, DuVries-Mann claw toe operation of the left second toe, and bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service, and the symptoms he reported are not considered chronic or attributable to any known clinical diagnosis.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's right knee disability and sleep disorder, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for right knee synovitis since July 10, 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including low back strain, bursitis of the left hip, right Achilles tendonitis, hemorrhoids, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, left shoulder tendonitis, and left clavicle disorder. The effective date is not specified.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development of her claims, including increased evaluations and service connection for various disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the veteran's post-operative total left knee arthroplasty, which is more than the current 30 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for her right knee extension limitation, postoperative lateral meniscus tear, and instability. The evidence did not show that any of these conditions warranted a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board determined that the veteran's service-connected degenerative changes of the right knee had improved, warranting a reduction from a 50 percent evaluation to a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the right knee, and Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the left knee. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability associated with the veteran's in-service shoulder and knee pain, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a right knee disability and increased evaluations for lumbar disc disease at L4/5 and L5/S1, as well as bilateral calcaneal spurring with right plantar fasciitis. The knee condition was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor is it secondary to any service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of left shoulder surgery and a left knee disability. Service connection was denied for low back disability and sinusitis.