Knee decisions — 2008

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant before a decision was made.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a compensable evaluation of his service-connected left knee injury, finding that there was no evidence showing an increase in severity within one year prior to the date he filed his claim.

The Board found that the veteran's degenerative arthrosis of the left knee did not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent evaluation, and thus denied his claim for an increased rating.

The veteran's claimed muscle spasms and swollen joints are not service-connected as they are attributed to diagnosed conditions, and the medical evidence does not support a finding of a relationship between these symptoms and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current bilateral knee disability or psychiatric disorder, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a disability of the cervical spine, bilateral shoulders, bilateral hips, right ankle, low back, or bilateral knees due to service. The claim for PTSD was also denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate is denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral ankle disability, finding that there was no evidence linking the current disability to service or any other service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is service-connected, as there is evidence of a current diagnosis and in-service incurrence or aggravation.,There is no evidence of a current right knee disorder. The VA examinations did not find any diagnosed condition related to the veteran's reported symptoms.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of right knee, left knee, or right leg disorders and thus service connection cannot be granted for these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's current disabilities, including degenerative joint disease of the right knee and hip, were not incurred in service. The VA also determined that there was no evidence linking his current muscle atrophy to service.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience.

The veteran's combined evaluation of 60 percent does not meet the criteria for a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities alone.

The veteran's appeal of the issue regarding an evaluation in excess of 60 percent for total right knee arthroplasty has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to assess the severity and manifestations of his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and vision disorders, finding that there is no evidence of chronic disability related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for supraventricular arrhythmia with chest pain and a rating of 20% for the right leg disability. The left knee degenerative joint disease is not found to be related to the service-connected right leg disability.

The Board has ordered that the part of its January 2007 decision denying service connection for bilateral knee disability be vacated and remanded. The case is now being returned to the RO/AMC for further action, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the veteran for a VA examination to assess his current knee disability status.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder and finds that there is reasonable doubt as to whether his current right knee disorder is causally related to his service-connected left knee disability. The Board therefore grants this aspect of the appeal.

The veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of left knee medial meniscectomy with degenerative joint disease is rated at 10 percent prior to September 27, 2002. The appeal was denied as the schedular criteria for a higher rating were not met.