Knee decisions — 2009

The veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychological disorder, residuals of frostbite of the knees, and a low back disorder are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee and chronic grade I edema of the left lower leg, as there was no evidence that these conditions were incurred or aggravated in service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were remanded to obtain additional evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and remanded the claim for an increased initial evaluation of the veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease, post-operative resection of fractured patella.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination and examinations to assess the current severity of his asthma and bilateral knee disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his lumbar spine disability and to address the etiology of any knee disabilities.

The veteran was granted a 60 percent evaluation for residuals of a total right knee replacement prior to December 5, 2006. However, the Board found that an evaluation in excess of 60 percent is not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left eye injury and right knee injury, as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's period of active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding no evidence that it was caused by or related to his service or his service-connected Achilles tendonitis.

The veteran was granted a separate, initial, 20 percent rating for limitation of extension of the right knee under Diagnostic Code 5261. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right knee status post meniscectomy and arthroscopy; tear of medial meniscus, under Diagnostic Code 5258 was denied.

The veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for low back strain, right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, hemorrhoids, and bilateral pes planus were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the appellant's service-connected left knee strain, as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on range of motion or other factors.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and increased ratings for his right knee internal derangement with limited motion and instability were denied.

The veteran's claims for initial ratings higher than 10 percent for his service-connected disabilities were denied.

The veteran's right knee disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, and the dysmenorrhea and uterine fibroids are rated at 30 percent.,The veteran has been granted an initial rating of 30 percent for dysmenorrhea and uterine fibroids, status post myomectomy.

The Board remands the appellant's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a chronic right ankle sprain and service connection for a left knee disorder, to include as secondary to the service-connected chronic right ankle sprain, for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder arthralgia, right knee degenerative joint disease, a right ankle disorder, and migraine headaches as they were not shown to be related to the appellant's active military service.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for a higher rating of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities to allow for additional development, including an examination.

The veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for retropatellar pain syndrome of the right knee and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling for remote right clavicle fracture with impingement syndrome, right shoulder were denied.

The veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for right shoulder and left knee disabilities are being remanded to schedule a VA examination.