Knee decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of chronic coccygodynia was denied as her condition is already rated at the maximum available rating. The claim for service connection for a left knee disability was also denied, with no further development or examination requested due to lack of evidence indicating a current left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and right knee disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the low back claim. The right knee claim was remanded but not addressed in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for below the knee amputation of the right foot and partial amputation of the left foot as secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient records and needs further development before a decision can be made.

The Board has determined that the appellant's osteoarthritis of the right knee was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Veteran's initial ratings for residuals of a right thumb ligament injury and residuals of a left knee and hamstring injury have been granted, with the latter receiving an initial rating of 10 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, residuals of a fracture of the left leg, and various knee disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for shrapnel wounds to his right knee and left side of the chin. The Board has determined that further examination and opinion are needed before a decision can be made.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for tendonitis of the right wrist, right heel, left heel, and right knee are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Veteran also has pending claims for service connection for chronic urticaria, pneumonia and pleural effusion, headaches due to head trauma, and an initial compensable evaluation for left knee strain.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, chloracne, and diabetes mellitus were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted. The claim for neuropathy is reopened but service connection is not granted due to lack of a nexus between the current condition and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected shoulder and knee disabilities are being remanded to the RO for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's death was not due to his own willful misconduct, and he had been receiving a total disability rating for service-connected disabilities continuously since the date of separation from active duty. However, as the appellant did not file a claim for TDIU prior to September 1997, the ten-year threshold period required by law has not been met.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claim on appeal can be adjudicated. The Veteran should be provided with a new VA examination to evaluate his back, bilateral knee and left ankle disorders.

The Veteran's right knee replacement resulted in a rating of 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural defects, and he has been requested for a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of his claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the left knee and a muscle disorder of the left leg, as well as his claim for an increased rating for residuals of left tibia fracture, were all denied by the Board.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee chondromalacia, as well as his claims for a bilateral ankle disability, hypertension, low back disability, and hip disability were all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling for either knee condition or for any other claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left knee arthritis have been denied. However, the Veteran was granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for osteopenia of the right knee and left knee disorder have been denied. The Veteran is also seeking TDIU, but this issue has been remanded.