Knee decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board Hearing at the RO. The issues include seeking higher disability ratings and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining information about work absences due to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability and determining if referral of the claim to the VA Central Office for extraschedular consideration is warranted.

The Board denied an increase in a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's right knee disability and denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have degenerative joint disease of the left knee that is attributable to his active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee arthritis is not secondary to his service-connected right foot disability and denied the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an extra-schedular evaluation for left knee disability and service connection for PTSD, finding that the alleged stressors could not be verified.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, glaucoma, gout, and residuals of a left knee injury with a contusion are not supported by the evidence. The claim for an initial compensable rating for the residuals of a left inguinal hernia repair is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left and right knees are being remanded due to a lack of recent VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted, thus the issue is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left hip disabilities, as well as his ankle disabilities, were denied. His claims for increased ratings for knee disabilities were also denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left knee disorder that developed after he underwent arthroscopic surgery. The claim will be remanded to determine if the left knee disorder is secondary to his already service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability, including whether it is related to his service-connected right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's request for an increased evaluation for post-operative residuals of left knee ACL reconstruction was denied. The claim for service connection for right knee arthritis, claimed as secondary to service-connected left knee disability, was also denied.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness at enlistment. The Board also found insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between current knee problems and military service.

The Board found no evidence of a bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, right ear disability, or right knee disability in service. The appellant's complaints were not supported by medical evidence and the VA examination did not find any current disabilities related to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee is secondary to his service-connected status post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with traumatic arthritis of the left knee.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination. The appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.