Knee decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied based on the evidence of record.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues, and the Board has no jurisdiction to consider them.

The Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for the service-connected residual scar of the left knee, status post left knee arthroplasty. No increased rating was granted for the service-connected genu recurvatum of the left knee, status post total knee replacement.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease, left knee, post operative and degenerative joint disease and chondromalacia patella, right knee.

The Board remands the matter for additional evidentiary development.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral leg condition, specifically osteoarthritis of the bilateral hips and knees, as there was no medical evidence or competent opinion linking the current disability to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder, thus denying the reopening of the claim.

The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia with synovitis was found to be no more than slightly disabling prior to April 2005 and moderately disabling since that date, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable DCs.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee and ankle disability as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claims, and denied service connection for a spine disability as there is no evidence that it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disability and a right knee disability, both claimed as secondary to a service-connected left foot scar.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the right knee and granted a 20 percent disability rating for the left knee.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claims, and direct service connection was not established.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for sinusitis, upper respiratory infection, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremities, and a bilateral hip disorder. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not warrant ratings in excess of 10 percent, and he was found not to be unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's low back disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, but granted a 20 percent evaluation for each. The Board also denied service connection for a bilateral knee disorder.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues, and the claims are dismissed.

The appellant has residuals of an in-service right ring finger dislocation, and service connection is granted.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depression, but denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, right knee chondromalacia, residual pain due to left knee cellulitis, back injury residuals, morbid obesity, kidney infections, and asthma. The Board also granted initial 10 percent disability ratings for a left knee disability and asthma.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, ankle disability, knee disability, groin injury, gout, and psoriatic arthritis of the feet as there was no credible evidence establishing that an event, injury, or disease related to these claimed disabilities occurred in service.

The Board determined that the RO correctly calculated the Veteran's combined disability rating of 60 percent, and denied a higher combined evaluation.