Knee decisions — 2008

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

The Board found that the reduction in evaluation of the left knee disability from 40 to 20 percent was not warranted, and denied the claim for an increased rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and for compensable evaluations for low back and right knee disabilities due to lack of credible evidence supporting the occurrence of claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and is not related to a service-connected disability. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of a left knee injury with degenerative changes should continue to be rated at 10 percent, effective from October 1, 2002. The decision also found no need to separate this rating into different components.

The veteran's left knee disability was not found to warrant a compensable evaluation prior to March 7, 2005. From March 7, 2005, to May 17, 2005, and from July 1, 2005, to February 12, 2007, the disability was rated at 10 percent for arthritis and limited motion. Since February 13, 2007, a separate 10 percent rating has been assigned for instability of the left knee.

The veteran died of multi-system organ failure, due to coronary artery disease and other conditions. The Board found no service connection for the cause of death and denied the claim for DEA benefits.

The Board denied service connection for gout and the initial disability rating for left knee chondromalacia was granted at a 10% level.

The veteran's service-connected right knee conditions were not found to warrant higher ratings prior to October 3, 2007.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disorder is service-connected, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the claimant.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, to include as secondary to his service-connected bilateral flat feet was dismissed due to the lack of a timely filed Substantive Appeal. The Board lacks jurisdiction over this issue.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left knee disability is rated at 20 percent, effective January 27, 2003.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a right shoulder disability related to military service and denied his claim for service connection. The left knee medial collateral ligament sprain was also denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee and right thigh burn scars do not warrant a compensable evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current flat feet or a bilateral knee disorder related to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening his low back disability claim and continued a 10 percent rating for his right knee disability. The case is being remanded to schedule an examination for his right knee.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the veteran for various examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for depression and a left knee condition, finding no evidence of current disabilities or in-service injuries that are related to these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, cervical and lumbar disorders, retained metal in the left knee, right ankle injury residuals, and unspecified right foot disorder (history of plantar warts). The appeals were all denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The veteran's claims of service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, right knee crepitus and arthritis, and a left knee disorder have been reopened. The case is being remanded to the RO for further development.