Knee decisions — 2009

The veteran's chondromalacia of the left and right knees were granted a 10 percent evaluation, but his claims for service connection for low back disability and bilateral hip disability were denied.

The veteran's lumbar facet hypertrophy at L5-S1 and left knee medial compartment narrowing are secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability, while his migraine headaches are the result of disease incurred during active military service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations were partially granted, with some conditions receiving higher ratings and others remaining at their current levels.

The Board remands the claims for a medical opinion to determine if the veteran's back and knee disorders are related to his service-connected left hip disability or to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent, and earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings.

The veteran was granted a separate non-compensable rating for a muscle injury related to the residuals of a gunshot wound to the right knee with a fracture of the tibial plateau and scars.

The Board denied the underlying claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities, but these decisions were vacated by the Court and remanded for further development.

The Board remands the case to obtain further clarification from a VA examiner regarding the relationship between the veteran's claimed hip and knee disorders and his periods of military service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, bilateral knee disorder, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and bilateral neuropathy of the hands, feet, and back. The initial rating for PTSD was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, traumatic arthritis of the right knee, an eye disability, and depression/anxiety. The veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated as 10 percent from October 30, 2002 to September 12, 2004 and since July 1, 2007, and as 20 percent from September 13, 2004 through June 30, 2007.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left knee disability and bilateral pes planus to obtain medical opinions on etiology.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for depression, and increased ratings for her knee and back conditions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a right quadriceps strain and chondromalacia patella of the right medial meniscus to the RO for additional development.

The Board remands the appeal for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for postoperative residuals of a left knee injury with degenerative joint disease is being remanded to the RO for further development.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and consideration of the veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his right and left shoulder disabilities and right and left knee disabilities, as there was no evidence of a more severe disability that would warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's initial disability ratings for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the left and right knees were denied as they did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The case is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current level of severity of the veteran's left knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for right knee osteoarthritis and chondromalacia, as well as instability of the left knee.