Knee decisions — 2009

The appeal is remanded to obtain SSA records and arrange for a VA examination regarding the veteran's claimed conditions.

The claim for service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease, claimed secondary to service-connected right sacroiliac arthritis, was reopened and granted.

The Board denied service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease and low back disorder as there was no credible medical evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current conditions and his active service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disorder as there was no evidence of a relationship between the condition and the veteran's military service or his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for right foot and left foot disability, left knee disability, and back disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for a cardiovascular disorder, left ankle fracture, and left thumb injury. The appeal was granted for tinnitus as it was found to be related to the Veteran's active duty service. Service connection was denied for hypertension and right knee disorder.

The appeal is remanded for further development, including a new examination to assess the current status of the veteran's service-connected right knee and right ankle disabilities.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for his right and left knee disabilities are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for post-operative degenerative joint disease of the left knee, as flexion was measured at 130 degrees and did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome to obtain additional evidence, including a new VA examination.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right knee meniscectomy and degenerative joint disease were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of rectal polypectomy were rated at 10 percent prior to June 20, 2008, and increased to 60 percent effective from that date.

The Board denied ratings in excess of the current levels for right knee disability and left knee DJD, but granted a 20 percent rating for right knee instability from August 29, 2006.

The case was remanded for further development and readjudication of the appellant's claim for service connection for cause of the veteran's death.

The Board finds that the evidence demonstrates an etiological relationship between the veteran's low back and left knee disabilities and service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied service connection for TMJ, GERD, fibromyalgia, a left knee disorder, and a left foot disorder as they were not related to active military service or to the veteran's service-connected major depression.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected right knee, status post arthroscopy.

The Board denied service connection for right knee DJD and low back disability as they were not caused or aggravated by the veteran's left knee DJD, nor related to any incident of service.

The veteran's service-connected prostatitis, bladder outlet obstruction is rated at 20 percent. No other conditions were granted a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded to the RO for further development, including an examination and adjudication of his service connection claims.