Knee decisions — 2009

The Veteran's increased rating claim for right knee degenerative joint disease was denied, and his secondary service connection claim for bilateral foot conditions is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disorder and diabetes mellitus, finding that the appellant's current conditions are aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for tinnitus, did not find new and material evidence to reopen his claim of left ear hearing loss, but found service connection established for a low back disorder. The other claims were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and hypertension were denied in August 1991. The Board has reopened the claim for sinusitis but denied it on the merits.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions were denied as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to consider new evidence, including his recent complaints of patella dislocation and use of a wheelchair. The service connection claim will be reconsidered based on the current medical findings.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left acromioclavicular (AC) joint due to its presumptive nature under VA regulations. The claims for other conditions are remanded as additional evidence is needed.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right knee and thigh disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for tinnitus, and there was no medical evidence linking the current right knee and thigh conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The maximum schedular rating has already been assigned for the left hand disability, and no other issues meet the criteria for higher initial ratings.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, left hip condition, left knee condition, and left ankle condition as they are not related to his active duty service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by pain, swelling, stiffness and limited range of motion, was rated at 20 percent effective from May 8, 2006 to January 10, 2007.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than August 9, 2006 and May 22, 2006 for service connection of cold injury residuals of the feet and a right knee disability, respectively. The left knee disability claim is dismissed as it is not legally precluded by final decisions.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected left great toe disability and his current lumbar spine, hip, and knee disorders. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a knee disorder and found that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran is now entitled to an examination to determine if he has a current knee disorder related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental medical opinion regarding the relationship between his right knee disability and service-connected left knee disability. Additionally, consideration of secondary service connection for his heart disorder will be considered.

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the Veteran's current hand, elbow, knee, ankle, and skin conditions with his service. The preponderance of the evidence showed that these disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection and increased ratings. Service connection was denied for a low back disorder and gynecological disorders, while the Veteran is seeking higher ratings for her left knee and ankle disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any claimed conditions and thus service connection is denied for hypertriglyceridemia, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, right hand disorder, and left hand disorder.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee disabilities can be properly adjudicated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic low back, right knee, and right ankle disorders due to a lack of evidence showing continuity of symptomatology or a medical nexus between his current conditions and active duty service.,There is no credible evidence supporting the Veteran's assertions of continued symptoms since service. The separation examination was normal, and post-service records do not show treatment for these conditions until many years after discharge.

The Veteran's left knee disability is not productive of a limitation of motion in the flexion or extension, and therefore, does not warrant an initial rating higher than 10 percent.