Knee decisions — 2008

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for a VA examination to determine if the appellant's knee conditions were aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities for which service connection can be granted, including left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, residuals of frostbite of the right hand, bilateral knee arthritis, or bilateral ankle arthritis.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including additional VA examinations and consideration of the claims in light of newly obtained evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's left and right knee disorders, but denied any evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's current left knee disorder is related to his service-connected right knee disorder or preexisted his military service.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a left knee, left shoulder, or back disability. Therefore, the veteran's claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has reopened multiple service connection claims but denied the underlying claims on the merits. The veteran's TMJ dysfunction claim is granted, while his other claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA physician's opinion regarding whether the veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death.

The Board has determined that a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee is warranted, and this decision grants such an increase.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating. The case is being remanded for further examination to determine if the veteran meets the schedular requirements or if an extra-schedular TDIU rating is warranted.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the veteran's left knee laxity and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, effective from June 25, 2001. The decision also noted that the veteran raised an issue regarding service connection for a right knee disability but did not adjudicate it.

The veteran's right knee disability and arthritis have been rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, with no further increase in rating possible. The appeal for a TDIU has also been withdrawn.

The Board found that the veteran's gastrointestinal disability did not manifest during service and is not otherwise related to such service. The Board also found no chronic knee disability in service, nor any nexus between current knee disability and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee arthritis and PTSD are presumed to have been incurred due to active service, with a rating of 100% effective as of the date of decision.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left thumb and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to deficiencies in the development of these claims.

The veteran's hypertension has been granted a noncompensable rating, and service connection for degenerative joint disease of the knees has been granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current osteoarthritis of multiple joints, including shoulders, right knee, lumbar spine, and hands, is related to his active military service. The appeal for service connection is granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and joint arthritis, as well as his claim for a compensable rating for bilateral athlete's foot. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities related to these conditions.

The veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling for synovitis with mild degenerative changes, and his abdominal gunshot wound residuals are rated as 30 percent disabling. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.,There was no indication of ankylosis or instability in the left knee, nor were there findings of severe muscle damage or dislocation of cartilage. The veteran's abdominal gunshot wound residuals are currently rated as 30 percent disabling based on their severity.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and civilian employment verification. The veteran's bilateral knee disability will be evaluated to determine if it was caused or aggravated by any period of active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA.