Knee decisions — 2009

The VA determined that the right knee osteoarthritis is not related to service-connected left knee osteoarthritis or inservice injury, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 40 percent, which reflects the limitation of motion and instability. The lumbar spine condition is also rated at 20 percent.

The VA has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and potential duty to assist issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have sciatica, and his right and left shoulder disorders are diagnosed as AC joint arthritis which had onset during service. The Board denied all other claims for service connection.

The Veteran's conditions are service-connected, but the evidence does not show he is in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's left knee instability is rated at 20% effective February 21, 2008, and denied prior to that date.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for psoriasis, arthritis, Thompson's myotonia, chronic left knee disability, and chronic right knee disability. The evidence did not show any current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the bilateral knees, which is secondary to his service-connected right femur fracture, has been remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between his knee condition and his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability, post-surgical repair of lateral meniscus, is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of motion. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's patellofemoral syndrome/degenerative joint disease, left knee, is manifested by pain and normal range of motion. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from obtaining and retaining employment consistent with her abilities, aptitudes, and interests. As the effects of an employability impairment have been overcome, she does not have an employment handicap.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions, particularly his cellulitis and lymphadenitis of the lower extremities, likely contributed to his coronary artery disease which in turn led to his fatal myocardial infarction. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Veteran's internal derangement of the left shoulder is rated at 20 percent effective August 10, 2009. The Veteran's chondromalacia of the left knee has not been shown to warrant a compensable evaluation prior to June 17, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and possibly a VA examination. The case will be returned to the Board if further development is needed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate compliance with previous instructions.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as he did not submit a claim for service connection prior to March 10, 2006. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at March 10, 2006.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II due to herbicide exposure is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The RO granted service connection for this condition and assigned a compensable rating.

The Veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is service-connected. The Board also granted service connection for cellulitis, otitis media, tinnitus, nasopharyngeal cancer (claimed as throat cancer), and diabetes mellitus.