Knee decisions — 2008

The Board found that the veteran did not have PTSD due to combat stressors and could not verify other claimed stressors. The cervical spine, left knee, left foot, and bilateral shoulder disabilities were not shown to be related to service. Stomach ulcers and a skin rash were also not linked to service.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disability was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a link between the veteran's knee condition and his time in service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's increased rating claims for alopecia, bunion of the right foot, left knee scar, and right knee arthritis.

The veteran's service-connected left knee disability was rated at 30 percent effective October 8, 2007. This rating is the maximum allowed under Diagnostic Code 5257 for severe impairment of the knee.

The VA denied an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected arthritis of the right knee prior to total knee replacement on July 31, 2007.

The veteran's service-connected right and left knee degenerative joint diseases are currently rated at 10 percent each, which is the maximum rating allowed under VA regulations. The Board finds that these disabilities do not warrant a higher evaluation based on current evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and unverified in-service events.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the right knee was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disorder, finding no evidence linking his current condition to military service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that there is not enough evidence to support the claim for service connection for a left knee disability, as no chronic condition related to the in-service injury was found.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The veteran's bilateral knee conditions are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim of service connection for a right knee disability. The claims for left knee disability and bilateral hip disability were also denied as there is no indication they are related to active service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the veteran's left below knee amputation was caused by VA care, treatment, or examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, as there was no evidence showing that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the reduction in disability ratings for the veteran's left knee instability and subluxation, as well as limitation of motion, was proper based on the evidence showing improvement.

The Board found that the January 1981 rating decision denying service connection for right knee disability was not CUE, and thus the claim is denied as there is no legal merit to reopen the claim.

The VA determined that the veteran's right knee disability, which included slight recurrent subluxation or lateral instability after his surgery, did not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the right knee, right wrist tendonitis, and left knee are denied.,The veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the right knee (limitation of flexion), 10 percent for right knee medial laxity, 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the left knee, and 10 percent for tendonitis of the right wrist.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability and granted service connection for this condition. However, there is no persuasive medical evidence showing a direct link between his lumbar spine disorder and his service-connected right knee disability.