Knee decisions — 2009

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent since November 9, 2007. The Board has determined that he should be rated at 30 percent beginning February 19, 2004. His left knee disorder is currently rated as 30 percent disabling. Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial evaluations for her service-connected conditions was dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal concerning a higher initial evaluation for adjustment disorder, currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted.,The Veteran has a current diagnosis of back, leg, and knee conditions that are related to his in-service injuries.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder and arthritis were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of chronicity of symptoms after service. The medical opinion provided did not support a link between his current condition and military service.

The Veteran's left knee condition was rated as 10 percent prior to May 15, 2006 and as 20 percent since that date. The right knee condition has been rated at 10 percent.,Arthritis of the bilateral shoulders was not rated higher than 10 percent prior to November 29, 1999. Since then, arthritis of the left shoulder has not warranted a rating higher than 10 percent and arthritis of the right shoulder has not been rated at all.,Since August 27, 2002, arthritis of the right shoulder has been rated as 10 percent disabling. Arthritis of the hands was rated noncompensable prior to that date but is now rated at 10 percent since then.,Arthritis of the left ankle and right ankle have both been rated at 10 percent since August 27, 2002.

The Board denied increased ratings for the service-connected right knee contusion, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right hip degenerative joint disease. The Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination scheduled in conjunction with his claim was noted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board granted increased ratings for PTSD and chondromalacia of the left knee, but denied service connection for chronic fatigue.

The Veteran's knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and his lumbar spine disability has been rated as chronic lumbar strain. The Board denied increased evaluations for both conditions.

The Veteran's left knee and back disabilities were not shown to be related to his service-connected right knee disability, nor are they otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right leg, left leg, right knee, and left knee disabilities are denied as there is no medical evidence of current disability other than arthritis in the knees.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee ACL reconstruction is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation of 30 percent is warranted due to significant occupational limitations with severe impairment.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative joint disease, finding no evidence of such condition during or within one year after service. Service connection for PTSD remains pending as the claim is still under review.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and reopened the claim of service connection for a right knee disability. The Veteran's current right knee disability is found to be related to an inservice fall, which constitutes direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus, lumbar spine conditions, and knee conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran is currently service connected for left total knee replacement and tension vascular headaches. The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of a right thigh disability, a lump above the collarbone, or a left knee disability. The claims for service connection for these conditions are denied as there is no competent evidence linking them to active duty service.

The Board has denied all service connection claims as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities for the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is attributable to service. The left knee injury with residual degenerative joint disease resulted in a noncompensable evaluation, which was subsequently increased to 20 percent effective January 27, 1997. The Veteran's left knee limitation of motion is rated separately at 10 percent.

The Veteran withdrew all pending appeals, including those for service connection and increased rating.