Knee decisions — 2009

The appeal is remanded for further development of the evidence, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of the veteran's knee and hip disabilities.

The veteran's left and right knee disabilities each meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating based on limitation of flexion and extension.

The veteran's claims for service connection for low back, cervical spine, and PTSD were denied as there was no evidence of current disabilities related to his service. The claim for a higher rating for the right knee was also denied.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral shoulder disabilities and scars do not warrant higher disability ratings, and the veteran does not have a current groin, right hip, or left knee disability.

The veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for left knee and shoulder conditions, and TDIU were denied as the evidence did not support a higher disability rating or a link to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his left knee condition did not warrant a higher rating and that there was no evidence of a low back disorder related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for right knee arthritis as it was not shown to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee and bilateral ankle disabilities.

The appeal for service connection for cardiovascular disease, to include hypertension, was denied as there is no evidence of a relationship between the veteran's current hypertension and his active military service or any period of ACDUTRA during Reserve service.

The appeal is remanded to verify the veteran's periods of active military service and obtain any additional service treatment records.

The veteran's residuals of a left femur fracture do not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent, and his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for left and right knee conditions, as well as arthritis in those knees, for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and bilateral knee disability as there was no evidence that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the right knee was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's claims of service connection for disabilities manifested by left knee and lumbar spine pain, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness, were reopened. Service connection for a tooth disorder was denied.

The veteran's right knee disability, including scarring, does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for various disorders of the veteran's legs, hips, spine, and knee as there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his active military service.

The veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, a higher evaluation for right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and a higher evaluation for residuals of bilateral frozen feet with pes planus were denied.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a right knee disorder, claimed as secondary to his left knee condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right knee disabilities, finding that the current 10 percent ratings accurately reflect the severity of his symptoms.

The veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae was rated at 30 percent, but no higher. Other claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied.