Knee decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the right knee, and thus denied the veteran's claim.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current level of functional impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not incur osteoarthritis of the right knee in service and there is no evidence linking it to his active duty service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of service medical records, and will conduct further searches at the Detroit RO and National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). The veteran's claim for secondary service connection for his right knee condition is currently under review.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) from November 4, 2004 to December 13, 2006 was denied as she did not meet the percentage requirements for TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and thus denied both the claim for cause of death and DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected right knee disability, which is rated as 10 percent disabling for instability and pain, does not warrant a higher rating based on current medical evidence showing stable joint with no limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a left knee disorder. The veteran's active service is considered as potentially relevant to his current condition.

The VA determined that the veteran's left knee injury residuals do not meet or approximate criteria for a higher evaluation than 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the left knee is not related to his military service. The right knee issue requires additional clarification regarding whether pre-existing injuries contributed to the current condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, neck disability, bilateral shoulder disabilities, residuals of face trauma, and bilateral eye disability. The evidence did not show a link between these conditions and her military service.

The Board has determined that further procedural and evidentiary development is needed before deciding the appeal, including obtaining medical records from Naveed Ahmad, M.D., and scheduling a VA orthopedic examination to determine if any disabilities are related to service or secondary to the service-connected left knee disability.

The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings for the veteran's service-connected left and right knee chondromalacia with arthritis, maintaining the current 10 percent evaluations.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not incur chronic disorders of the right and left knees in service, nor did he develop degenerative joint disease within the first post-service year. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability and for service connection for a left hip disorder secondary to his service-connected left knee injury. The veteran's left knee was found to have mild symptoms, but no current diagnosis of a left hip disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and attempting to reconstruct the veteran's service medical and personnel records through alternative means.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule him for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment, and he requires regular aid and assistance due to his physical incapacity.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disorder does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no evidence of limitation of motion or painful motion. The current 10 percent rating remains applicable.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee condition is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.