Knee decisions — 2009

The veteran's left knee disorder is service-connected, and the Board will remand for a new examination to assess the current severity of his lumbosacral strain.

The veteran's left knee disability was rated at 30 percent, with the denial of a higher rating for instability and subluxation, but an increase in the rating for limitation of extension due to advanced degenerative joint disease.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder and denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee. However, as of April 8, 2008, the veteran's lumbar strain was rated at 40 percent.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left knee and right ankle disability to ensure compliance with VA's duty to assist under the VCAA.

The veteran's service connection claims for right hip, left knee and left foot disabilities were granted based on evidence of in-service injuries and continuity of symptoms. The claim for right ear hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral disc disease, degenerative joint disease of the left knee and degenerative joint disease of the right ankle as secondary to his service-connected disabilities of the left foot and right knee.

The appeal for an increased initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn, and the claim for service connection for a left knee disorder was denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability related to service, while the claim for a right knee disability was remanded for further development.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's left and right knee disabilities, but also denied service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, anal fissures, orchialgia of the right testicle, residuals of a right ankle sprain, and a right knee disability are being remanded for further development.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a left hip disorder, knee disorder, leg disorder, and HIV and related illnesses are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a disability of the feet manifested by poor circulation, and denied initial compensable ratings for patellofemoral pain syndrome in both knees.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and bilateral hearing loss, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the veteran's military service.

The Board remands the claims for a right knee disability and hearing loss to the RO for further development, including obtaining additional medical evidence and scheduling examinations.

The veteran's chondromalacia patella with degenerative joint disease of each knee was denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling.

The appeal is remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC, for the purpose of scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board remands the claims for an initial compensable disability rating for left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome to obtain additional evidence, including VA medical records and a new VA examination.

The veteran's left knee range of motion is limited to, at most, 110 degrees of flexion and 0 degrees of extension. The criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for patellofemoral arthritis, left knee, have not been met.

The Board remanded the matter to afford the veteran an opportunity for a hearing and to obtain additional evidence, including service personnel records and verification of any periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA.

The Board found that the earliest possible effective date for the grant of service connection for mechanical low back pain, instability of the right knee, and instability of the left knee is November 18, 1997.