Knee decisions — 2009

The veteran's chronic sinus disability has been productive of three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year with symptoms that include pain, purulent discharge, and crusting; but his sinusitis has not required prolonged antibiotic treatment of four to six weeks duration, and has not been productive of more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right foot stress fracture, right knee bursitis and left knee bursitis as there was no current disability related to the claimed conditions.

The veteran's residuals, posterior process talus fracture of the left heel and chondromalacia patella of the left knee do not meet the criteria for increased ratings.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied as the criteria were not met prior to December 15, 2000.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for osteoarthritis of the left knee is being remanded for additional evidence and an updated VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for liver, shoulder, thoracic spondylitic changes and left knee disorders as there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's active duty or her service-connected disabilities.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's claimed conditions to his active service, and denied all claims for service connection.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a back disability and right knee disability, but ultimately denied both claims as not being supported by competent evidence.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the hands, knees, and right hip, but granted it for the right shoulder. The veteran's sarcoidosis was rated as 30 percent disabling, and a TDIU on an extraschedular basis was also denied.

The veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent for instability and arthritis with limitation of motion prior to December 19, 2006. From February 1, 2007, a single 10 percent rating is assigned based on arthritis with limitation of motion.

The Board denied higher initial ratings for right knee instability, left knee arthritis, and neck injury. The veteran's claims for a higher rating for the left great toe disability were also denied.

The appeal was remanded to the RO for further development of evidence related to the veteran's in-service physical therapy records.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the left knee, as there was no medical evidence to support a diagnosis of such condition.

The veteran's left knee arthralgia with normal x-ray findings is granted as a secondary condition to his service-connected bilateral foot disability. Service connection for PTSD is denied due to the lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board granted service connection for left knee disability and remanded the claims for right knee and back disabilities for further development.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and neck disability, as well as the ratings for his left knee and low back disabilities, are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and residuals of a head injury, found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his claim for idiopathic cardiomyopathy and renal insufficiency, determined that the veteran's PTSD did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 70 percent, and concluded that he was not entitled to TDIU.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the left knee and history of meniscectomy of the left knee with instability were denied due to a lack of evidence supporting his appeal, as he failed to report for scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The veteran's current left knee degenerative joint disease and ACL tear were incurred during active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for DJD of the bilateral hands, left knee, and left shoulder as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis.