Knee decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left foot disability and initial ratings for his right distal tibia with residual soreness and mild left knee patellofemoral syndrome, as there was no evidence of more than slight impairment in these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain Social Security Administration records and a VA orthopedic examination. The issues of entitlement to increased evaluations for PTSD, fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right knee retropatellar syndrome, and left knee retropatellar syndrome are being addressed.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a right knee disability that is etiologically related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected conditions do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each, with the right knee having instability and arthritis without limitation of motion, while the left knee has arthritis limiting flexion to 70 degrees. The ratings are granted.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including total left knee replacement, right knee condition, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities, finding that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to his service-connected left knee disability or to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a rating in excess of 10 percent since June 1, 2002 for residuals of right knee medial meniscus tear.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities and hemorrhoids were denied. The Veteran was not granted any increased ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and right knee disability, to include arthritis is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is not productive of moderate recurrent subluxation or instability, limitation of flexion, limitation of extension, ankylosis, or malunion of the tibia and fibula. The Veteran has dislocated cartilage in his right knee with locking and pain.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not shown to be present for VA compensation purposes.,His pre-existing thoracic spine and right knee conditions are clearly and unmistakably present prior to service, so they were not aggravated by service.

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the appellant's current right shoulder and left knee disabilities and injuries or diseases incurred during his initial active duty for training (IADT). Therefore, service connection was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing right knee disorder did not increase in disability during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's knee and ankle disabilities, as well as her peripheral neuropathy, are currently evaluated at the lowest possible rating of 10 percent. The Board finds that there is no evidence to support a higher evaluation for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right knee or lower back disorder related to her active duty service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current left knee disability and his in-service injury. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine if there is a link.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee injury and bilateral hearing loss, as the additional evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.