Knee decisions — 2009

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, a disc protrusion of the cervical spine, and left knee osteoarthritis as these conditions were not found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis. The claims for service connection for pes planus of the right foot, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, left chronic knee disability, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine were remanded for further development.

The appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including an examination to determine if there is a left knee disability that was caused or aggravated by the service-connected left leg fracture residuals.

The appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the extent and etiology of any left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, left hamstring strain, and right hamstring strain as there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, dental disability, lower extremity disability, cervical spine disability, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), defective vision, suppurative otitis media, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, headaches, and postoperative hernia scar.

The Board granted service connection for arthritis of the left knee and right shoulder, but denied service connection for hypertension, a heart condition, and vascular dementia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased initial evaluations for his left knee, right knee, and sinusitis disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bleeding gums, a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability, and a rating in excess of 30 percent for facial dermatitis were denied. The claim for a head/headache injury was remanded.

The appeal for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for residuals of a right knee injury is not in appellate status and has been dismissed.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a left knee disability, but denied service connection for all other conditions.

The appeal for service connection for left knee disability is being remanded to address intertwined issues and provide proper VCAA notice.

The Veteran's right and left knee conditions do not warrant a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee/leg disorder as there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or that the current conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee strain, left knee strain, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine as secondary to his service-connected bilateral heel spur disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disabilities are appropriately rated, and the criteria for increased ratings are not met.

The claims for service connection for various conditions, including folliculitis, musculoskeletal strain, left ulnar nerve neuropathy, facial congestion and breathing difficulties, sperm abnormalities, right shoulder disorder, and right knee disorder are being remanded for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board remands the claims for a new VA examination to reconcile current findings with previous diagnoses and treatment notes.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine with left hip pain does not warrant a disability rating in excess of 10 percent, but he is granted a separate 10 percent rating for an objective neurological abnormality based on mild impairment of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and the left arm disability is also rated at 10 percent; no higher ratings are warranted based on the evidence.