Knee decisions — 2009

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed orthopedic and left thumb disabilities as there was no evidence of a disability during active duty or within applicable presumptive periods, and the current conditions were not related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted, while the claims for increased ratings for Type II diabetes mellitus, chondromalacia patella of both knees, and vertigo were denied.

The Board remands the case for a new VA examination to reassess the severity of the veteran's service-connected right knee and lumbar spine disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected post-operative residuals of the right knee have been characterized by locking, pain, effusion, and significant impairment throughout the entire course of this appeal. The Board grants a 20 percent rating for the disability.

The veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for TDIU, special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, and special monthly compensation as a result of being housebound were denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The veteran is entitled to compensation under § 1151 for right and left below-the-knee amputations, but not for a low back disability.

The veteran's left knee disability, including dislocation and degenerative arthritis, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues, including the claims of service connection and increased ratings.

The veteran's residuals of a gunshot wound, left knee, with scar were found not to warrant an increased rating. A 50 percent disability rating for PTSD was granted effective from August 17, 2005.

The Board denied increased ratings for the right hip and knee, reopened a claim for service connection for a low back disorder, and denied service connection for a right foot disorder.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, degenerative joint disease of the left hip, and coronary artery disease, status post coronary artery bypass were remanded for a Travel Board hearing.

The veteran's claims for increased rating, earlier effective date, and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or an increase in disability.

The veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal regarding the denial of increased ratings for patellofemoral syndrome of each knee and residuals of a left rotator cuff injury and a fracture of the left fibula, thus the claim was dismissed.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for arthritis of the knees, and a compensable rating for right foot tendonitis were denied. The Board found that there was no current hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations, but granted separate ratings of 10 percent for each knee disorder due to painful motion.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for residuals of torn cartilage of the left knee and a psychosis, but denied an increased (compensable) rating for sarcoidosis.

The veteran's right knee disorder was not caused or made permanently worse by his military service.

The veteran's service-connected postoperative left knee chondrocalcinosis, right knee degenerative joint disease, and hiatal hernia with GERD, status post nissen fundoplication, do not warrant ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent for degenerative arthritis, but the Board granted a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the right knee.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability was remanded to obtain additional evidence and an updated VA examination.