Knee decisions — 2009

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and his left knee disability is rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board finds that it is as likely as not the Veteran's right knee disability and back disability are related to his active service.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current left knee disorder and his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's current right knee disability is causally linked to an in-service injury. Therefore, service connection for a right knee disability, to include ruptured cartilage, is granted.

The Veteran's claim for initial compensable disability evaluations for multiple superficial retained shell fragments involving the bilateral knee areas, thoracic spine area, and left arm and wrist areas was denied. The VA found no residual scarring or functional impairment from these retained shrapnel fragments.

The Board found no relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability and his service or a service-connected condition, including his left foot disability. The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left and right knee osteoarthritis status post-total knee arthroplasty were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor are they related to a service-connected disability. As such, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including arthritis and instability, is currently rated at 20 percent. The RO has granted a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the left knee effective February 2, 2007.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before a decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including an addendum opinion and/or examination regarding the impact of her low back and bilateral knee disabilities on her employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for service connection purposes related to right ear hearing loss. The initial ratings assigned for retained shrapnel, right thigh; Achilles tendonitis, right ankle; retropatellar pain syndrome, left knee; and residuals of choroidal rupture, left eye were denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected osteoarthritis of the right knee was granted, effective May 1, 2003. He is currently in receipt of a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the evidence does not support an extension of his temporary total rating for convalescence due to surgery on his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip and knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected back disability. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to right inguinal hernia repair was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee DJD has been manifested by arthritis with painful motion, but no compensable limitation of flexion or extension. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 28, 2001 for the assignment of a 60 percent rating for the service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that it is not related to his military service or his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for further development and readjudication, including scheduling a VA examination and issuing a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further examination and development of records.