Knee decisions — 2009

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, bilateral knee condition and left shoulder dislocation. The decision also noted that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The appellant has withdrawn his appeal, and the case is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury and that any current condition is not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right knee was granted, and he is now rated at 10 percent. His claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examination reports and seeking treatment records from Dr. David E. Couk.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims, including verification of his duty status during the alleged in-service injuries and obtaining VA treatment records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, hearing loss, and PTSD. The decision found no current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for instability of the right knee and right knee arthritis. The Veteran appealed this decision to the Court, but died before a final decision could be made by the Court.

For the entire appeal period beginning up to one year prior to August 30, 2004, the Veteran's left knee disorder did not meet or approximate criteria for a rating above the 10 percent assigned.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc and joint disease, including as due to service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc and joint disease, is rated at 10 percent since June 13, 2001. The Veteran's left knee disorder has been granted but no specific rating or effective date was provided.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no evidence of amputation or significant disability in the left small finger, right ankle fracture, compression fracture of the lumbar spine, or left knee injury. Service connection was not granted due to lack of evidence of a nexus between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his military service. His left knee disorder and bilateral hearing loss are not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his previously denied claims. The decision also addressed other issues such as evaluations for various disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional records from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and for further consideration of his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of May 28, 2003 was granted as the date entitlement arose for his service-connected instability of the left knee.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left knee is currently rated at 10 percent, effective June 29, 2005. The RO denied claims for service connection for COPD and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's left knee disability status post total arthroplasty is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.