Knee decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The duodenal ulcer was rated as 20 percent disabling, the bilateral knee disability was not incurred or aggravated during active service, and the psychiatric disability was not incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected scars of the right knee, left knee strain, and limitation of flexion of the left knee. The evidence did not support higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations to address the severity of his PTSD and left knee and tibia fracture disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for back disability, bilateral leg disability (peripheral neuropathy), bilateral knee disability, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral hearing loss disability are all denied as the evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for reopening his service connection claim for a back disability and for increased ratings for left knee instability and degenerative joint disease, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claims.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of his below-the-knee amputation and service connection for low back disorder was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's below-the-knee amputation is improved by a prosthesis controlled by natural knee action, warranting only a 40 percent disability rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to his military service and cannot be considered secondary to a service-connected left knee disability. Therefore, service connection for a right knee disability is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance is being remanded due to the pending service connection claim for her left knee disability. The Board will consider both claims together.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his right knee condition. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss will also be addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing evidence and a request for a statement from Dr. D.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for a Travel Board Hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Veteran is currently prevented from engaging in all forms of substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected right knee disability, and the Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of a left knee injury, bilateral hearing loss, and a service-connected left knee scar. The claim for tinnitus was also denied as there is no evidence linking it to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lower back and left knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee with a small radial tear in the posterior horn of the medial meniscus. The claim of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee is being remanded due to conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee injury, status post reduction-internal fixation of the proximal tibia, is characterized by slight limitation of flexion with objective evidence of pain. The criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal involves the assignment of disability ratings for his service-connected left knee disorder. The issues are whether he is entitled to a higher rating prior to April 3, 2002 and after that date.

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, thus denying the reopening of the claim.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a left knee disorder. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence and need for further examination.