Knee decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations and service connection were denied. The conditions claimed, including hemorrhoids, parotid calculus and lump on the left cheek, skin condition of the hands, bronchitis, laryngitis, frostbite of the feet and hands, otitis media, compression neuropathy of the left side, bilateral knee pain and fluid, allergic reaction to a typhoid shot (chronic rhinitis), and exposure to ethylene and nitrous oxide gases were not found to be service-connected or warrant higher initial evaluations.

The Veteran's right knee disability manifests in no more than mild instability or subluxation prior to September 10, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a rating higher than 10 percent for internal derangement of the right knee.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected right knee disorder. The evidence did not show that the current condition began during service or was related to his service-connected right knee disorder.

The Veteran's initial and increased rating claims for arthritis of the left knee and instability of the left knee with posterior cruciate ligament deficit were denied. The evidence did not support an award of higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records, including those from Drs. R.C.G and E.R.H., as well as treatment at the VA Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the right knee is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board found that this rating was not warranted for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's right knee status post total arthroplasty has been rated at 30 percent since July 1, 2007. The claim for an increased rating remains pending.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for a bilateral knee disability as there is no evidence of such a condition during the pendency of this claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The claim for increased rating for low back disability was denied, but the claim for increased rating for left knee disability from July 1, 2008 to May 7, 2007 was granted with a 20% rating. The Veteran's claim for compensable rating for sinusitis with rhinitis was denied. The TDIU claim is referred to the RO.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding a current left knee disability and its relationship to service-connected right knee and back conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, left leg radiculopathy, and right knee disorder due to lack of evidence showing a chronic condition during or after service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for several conditions, including low back disability, loss of smell, colon disability, testicle disability, right knee disability, and rib disability. The claims were denied as there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between these disabilities and active military service.

The Veteran's left knee condition was found to have existed pre-service and aggravated by service, warranting service connection.,A 10% rating is granted for the Veteran's left ankle disability due to marked limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration disability decision records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a medical examination and consideration of the claim. The Veteran's left knee injury during service is conceded, but there is uncertainty about whether his current knee disorder is related to that injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including skin disability, left knee disability (secondary to right knee), low back disability, concussion, and depression. The evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board found no evidence of a current left knee disorder and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's pes planus was not aggravated during service and denied his claim for service connection. The knee and back disabilities were also denied as they are not related to active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is not related to her service and therefore denied her claim for service connection.