Knee decisions — 2008

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is required.

The veteran's left knee disability is rated at 30 percent since October 3, 2007 for moderate instability in addition to traumatic arthritis with resulting limitation of extension. The claim for PTSD was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion to determine the etiology and likely date of onset of the veteran's left knee arthritis.

The Board has dismissed the appeals in regard to service connection for a scar on the chin, entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service-connected residuals of a mandible fracture, and entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent or a service-connected mandible scar. The claim for bilateral pes planus is dismissed as well.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a chronic right knee disability due to an in-service injury, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected postoperative arthralgia joint disease of the left knee, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there was no direct or secondary service connection based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU, finding that his service-connected left knee disability did not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The veteran is seeking service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, which he claims is related to his service-connected left leg and knee disability. The TDIU claim will be held in abeyance until the service connection claim is resolved.

The veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis is rated at 30 percent, and his claim for service connection for arthritis of the right knee has been reopened.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of hernia repair. The veteran underwent a hernia repair while in service and the separation examination noted an umbilical hernia repair scar.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition and an increased rating for his right knee disability, finding no current evidence of a diagnosed skin condition or chronic right knee disability. The claim for an increased rating remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for left leg disorder, varicose veins, spots on forehead and ears, and left knee arthritis are denied as there is no competent evidence of an in-service radiation exposure or a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate evidence and needs further development, including obtaining workers' compensation records for the veteran's right knee injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his right leg/knee disability did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled hearing. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 19, 2002 for the grant of service connection for scars of the left knee. The claim to reopen for residual scars of breast reduction surgery is also granted.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions is February 19, 1963.

The veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations were denied. The RO provided adequate notice and assistance, and the Board finds no prejudice to the veteran in proceeding with this decision.

The veteran's initial rating claims for left knee chondromalacia and left ankle arthritis have been denied. The veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for his left knee condition, effective January 9, 2001, and a separate 10 percent rating has been granted for instability of the left knee as of April 19, 2006.