Knee decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability and compliance with VCAA notification requirements.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disorder is rated at 20 percent, with limitation of extension limited to 5 degrees or less. The Board denied increased ratings for the left hip and right heel disorders as secondary to the service-connected left knee disorder.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee patellar tendonitis was incurred during his service and grants service connection for this condition. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is denied as there are no incapacitating episodes or significant neurological impairment.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis does not warrant an initial compensable disability rating, from March 7, 2002, or a disability rating in excess of 10 percent, from April 17, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee injury was denied. The Board found that the residuals of a left knee injury did not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent disability rating. Additionally, the claim for service connection for PTSD was also denied due to lack of corroborated in-service stressors.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the claim.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected disabilities have been withdrawn. The Board does not have jurisdiction to decide these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee condition and a back condition, finding that there is no medical evidence of these conditions during his period of active service and concluding that any current disorders are more likely than not due to aging rather than military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected lumbar spine disorder, right knee instability, and arthritis of the right knee were denied. The RO found that the current evidence did not support ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's skin rash and bilateral knee disability are not service-connected. The skin rash is not shown to have been present during service or within the presumptive period for Agent Orange exposure, while the knee disability may be related to service but requires further examination.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for a left knee disability and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and determine the etiology of any current left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and a left knee disability, finding that the appellant's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for neck scars and migraine headaches were denied, while his claims for right knee and left knee disabilities were granted with initial non-compensable disability ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including additional examinations and the provision of outstanding medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his left knee condition is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is not entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities and service connection for degenerative disc disease secondary to these conditions were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disabilities do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disorder is manifested by limitation of flexion to 45 degrees, and the RO assigned a 10 percent evaluation effective April 11, 1994. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent was granted.