Knee decisions — 2009

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 20 percent, and the left knee and hip disabilities were not increased from their current ratings. The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the competent and probative medical evidence of record preponderates against a finding that the Veteran currently has residuals of a right knee injury or head injury that are due to any incident or event in active military service.

The Board denied service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and residuals of a lateral ligament sprain of the right knee due to lack of evidence of current disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder as there was no evidence supporting that his current condition was related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right ankle disabilities as there was no evidence supporting a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, finding no evidence of a current disability due to an incident in service. The right shoulder claim was remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a sinus disability, sleep apnea, and an increased rating for left knee degenerative joint disease. The initial rating for PTSD was also denied.

The veteran withdrew his appeal concerning entitlement to service connection for PTSD at his January 2007 hearing before the Board. The claim is dismissed.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, and denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for a left knee strain and noncompensable ratings for bilateral hallux valgus deformities.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his left knee sprain was denied as there is no evidence of subluxation, instability, or limitation of motion.

The appeal is remanded for further development and adjudication of the Veteran's claims.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and adjudication of the service connection claims.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as decreased concentration, irritability, sleep disturbance, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, and social isolation. A 50 percent rating for PTSD has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a bilateral hip disorder, a bilateral knee disorder, a back disorder, a bilateral ankle disorder, asthma, and emphysema were denied as there was no evidence of current disability or a link to service.

The case is remanded for a new VA examination to reassess the severity of the Veteran's left knee arthritis and consider whether separate ratings are warranted.

The Board denied service connection for familial polyposis and a right knee disability as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, nor any evidence linking the current conditions to active service.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 30 percent, but an additional separate 10 percent rating for traumatic arthritis of the right knee was granted.

The case is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's left knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left knee injury as there was no evidence that the Veteran's current left knee disorder was related to his military service.

The appeal for a compensable evaluation for chondromalcia, right knee was withdrawn by the veteran. The claim to reopen service connection for endometriosis was denied as new and material evidence was not received.