Knee decisions — 2008

The Board has denied service connection for a right testicle disorder, but granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for a right knee disorder. The veteran's nonservice-connected pension benefits were also denied.,Service connection was not established for the right testicle disorder due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The veteran is found to be so nearly helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, meeting the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected lumbar spondylosis with strain and right knee strain, status post reconstruction are being remanded to the RO for additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to service connection for headaches, as his ongoing headache symptoms are related to service. The left knee, elbow and lower back pain claims have been denied due to a lack of current disability.

The Board denied service connection for a right thumb disability, right knee arthralgia and gout, right eye glaucoma, and DDD of the lumbar spine as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition that could be linked to these disabilities.

The Board found that the submitted evidence does not constitute new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for a right knee or patellar disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities for which service connection can be granted, and thus denied all claims of service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left index finger disability and a left knee disability. The decision also noted that her PTSD claim was remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee condition and bilateral pes planus are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing aggravation during military service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and an earlier effective date were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation or an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and thus grants a total disability rating on the basis of individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected post-traumatic osteoarthritis, left knee warrants a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5010 for traumatic arthritis based on X-ray findings. The disability is currently evaluated as moderate.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee osteoarthritis did not warrant a higher rating due to lack of limitation in motion or instability, and thus denied his claim for an increased rating.

The Board has granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from August 6, 2001. The veteran's service-connected disabilities include degenerative joint disease of the left knee and shoulders.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right knee injury and a right ankle disorder, finding no evidence of in-service injuries or diagnoses. The claim for drug addiction due to depression was also denied as it is not compensable under VA law.,There is insufficient evidence to establish the veteran's current conditions were incurred during active duty.

The Board found no evidence of a right knee condition during service or for many years thereafter, and the veteran's statements regarding etiology do not constitute competent medical evidence. The Board concluded that there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for her current right knee condition.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left knee.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for the left knee limitation of motion disability, effective from the date service connection was granted. The claim for increased evaluation for left knee instability remains denied.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disability resulted in no more than slight instability and limitation of motion, not severe enough to warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied a rating higher than 20 percent for service-connected arthrotomy of the left knee with degenerative changes.