Knee decisions — 2009

The Board denied service connection for the residuals of a right knee injury, left foot injury, acute gastritis, and a positive TB skin test. The Veteran's preexisting pes planus was not aggravated during active military service. An initial (compensable) evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected scar of the left knee was also denied.

The appeal was dismissed as the Veteran and his accredited representative withdrew from consideration certain issues, and a chronic low back disorder was not shown to have been present in service or for many years thereafter.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to evaluate the nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and shell fragment wounds of the left knee and right thigh and knee.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee disability was denied, as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on the current level of impairment.

The Veteran's right knee disability does not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent disabling.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for DJD of the left knee, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the range of motion and functional impairment.

The appeal was denied as the Veteran did not provide new and material evidence to reopen his claim for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, and there is no evidence that the Veteran's right knee or lumbosacral spine arthritis are related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected arthritis of the left knee was not found to be more than 10 percent disabling based on noncompensable limitation of motion and X-ray evidence of arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee conditions were denied as the schedular criteria for higher ratings have not been met.

The Board found that the Veteran's right below the knee amputation was not attributable to VA's failure to diagnose and/or treat peripheral vascular disease (PVD) or Buerger's disease at an earlier date, and was a reasonably foreseeable event.

The Board denied service connection for joint pain and bone spurs, hair loss, skin disability, gynecological disability, psychiatric disability (other than PTSD), impaired vision, bilateral knee disability, kidney disability, and chronic fatigue syndrome as there was no evidence of a chronic disability present in service or etiologically related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee, left knee, and shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for a higher evaluation for arthritis of the left knee and service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and crushed leg muscles.

The Board remands the claims for a VA examination to determine if G6PD deficiency is a congenital defect or disease, and whether any superimposed injury occurred during service. The claims for increased ratings for arthritis of the knees are also remanded as no SOC has been issued.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the left knee, finding that there was no evidence to support a conclusion that his condition was caused or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a throat condition, left wrist condition, numbness of the left hand and fingers, and bilateral foot condition were withdrawn. The Veteran was granted service connection for arthralgia of both knees but denied service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran was granted an initial 10 percent rating for chronic left knee strain, and separate 10 percent ratings were assigned for cervical and lumbar spine osteoarthritis. The claims for increased ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and the remaining spinal conditions were denied.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disorder clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying service connection.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is manifested by a range of motion from 0-100 degrees, at worst, with painful motion and mild instability. The evidence throughout the appellate period has revealed evidence of degenerative arthritis of the left knee.

The Board denied service connection for the residuals of a right femur fracture, finding clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition pre-existed the Veteran's active service and was not aggravated by it. The initial evaluation of 10 percent for chondromalacia of the right knee was granted.