Knee decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a 10 percent rating for his service-connected right knee meniscectomy with degenerative joint disease and no compensable rating assigned for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and left foot disorder are being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability did not have its onset in service and is not shown to be otherwise etiologically related to his active service, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability due to incomplete information and evidence. The issues of initial rating for flat feet and initial compensable rating for residuals of a chip fracture of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the left third finger are also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left knee was not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service. The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the current condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the appellant's claims for service connection, including treatment records from Brooke Army Medical Center and National Personnel Records Center.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have arthritis in either knee, and therefore, service connection for arthritis of the right and left knees is denied.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as he did not timely file a substantive appeal within the required time frame.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability and limitation of flexion and extension, is not rated higher than the current 20% and 10% ratings.,Service connection for a right knee disability and stomach ulcer has been denied as these conditions are not related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a right wrist fracture and patellofemoral syndrome, right knee were granted initial compensable ratings. The Veteran is entitled to a 10% rating for the residuals of a right wrist fracture and no higher. For his patellofemoral syndrome, right knee, he is also entitled to a 10% rating.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disorders, finding no evidence of in-service injuries or current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidentiary development, including a lack of service medical records and failure to provide proper notice regarding why the claim was previously denied.

From June 1, 2000 to June 6, 2005, the Veteran's left knee disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 30 percent combined, effective May 30, 2008. His bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been granted, with the right knee receiving a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing right knee condition was aggravated by his active service, and thus grants service connection for residuals of a right knee disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left knee disorders, including degenerative joint disease and medial meniscus tear/maceration, were not incurred or aggravated during his period of active service. The evidence does not show a nexus between any currently diagnosed left knee disorder and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining employment history and conducting a VA examination.