Knee decisions — 2009

The appeal for service connection for a left knee disability was denied because the current left knee disability was not initially manifested during service, and there is no evidence of a nexus between the in-service infection and the current degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's right knee disability was denied an increased rating as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on flexion and extension limitations.

The appellant's service-connected hypertension and right knee genu varus do not meet the criteria for higher initial ratings, and he is not entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, while other conditions remain non-service-connected.

The Veteran's left knee disability was denied an increased rating, and a 10 percent evaluation for instability was granted from the date of claim.

The veteran withdrew his appeals of entitlement to service connection for residuals of shrapnel wounds to the back and neck.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a compensable rating for his service-connected conditions, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on the current severity of his disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for a VA psychiatric and general examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD and whether his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder, PTSD, and the reopening of claims for a skin condition, calluses on the feet, and a left knee disorder were denied. The evidence submitted was not sufficient to establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for left foot, right wrist, left wrist, right hand, and left hand disorders as no chronic conditions were shown. However, the Veteran was granted service connection for left hip, right hip, right knee, and left knee disorders due to in-service arthralgia.

The claims for increased ratings must be remanded to obtain current treatment records and new VA examinations.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right and left knee degenerative joint disease post arthroscopic meniscal surgery to obtain additional records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied, but the case was remanded to provide him with a new examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition, a left lower leg scar, and left leg neuropathy as there was no evidence of a current disability or a relationship between any diagnosed conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral inguinal hernia, atrophic left testicle, left inguinal neuralgia, and left knee disability.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection and a temporary total disability rating due to insufficient evidence linking the left knee disorder to military service prior to March 16, 2005.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for residuals of a left knee injury and arthritis, as no new evidence or argument was presented to overcome the finality of previous decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic polyneuropathy of the lower extremities and diabetes mellitus type II, are significant enough to prevent him from engaging in any type of substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for left elbow, right ankle, and left knee disorders as well as an increased rating for migraine headaches. Service connection was not granted due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The appeal was remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any current knee disorder and plantar fasciitis.