Knee decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed gynecological disorder, neuroglycopenia/reactive hypoglycemia, low back disability, left knee disability, and shoulder disabilities are not related to her active duty service.

The Veteran's low back strain, bilateral knee arthritis, and bilateral hip arthritis are all found to be related to service. The lung disorder is not established.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and TDIU were denied. The claim to reopen a left knee disorder was not addressed in the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, left ankle disability, tinnitus, or right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome. Therefore, these claims are denied.

The Veteran's chondromalacia of the patella and internal derangement of the left knee is currently rated at 30 percent, based on limitation of flexion and extension. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records and to provide a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied as there is no evidence of its occurrence during service or due to a service-connected disability. The issue of entitlement to special home adaptation grant has also been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and right knee disability are not related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board finds that the recoupment of separation pay by withholding VA compensation benefits was proper based on the law as written.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including medical examinations and opinions regarding his bilateral shoulder disabilities, left knee disability, leg shortening, and use of crutches.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of her claims.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the veteran.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including a meniscal tear and degenerative changes, is currently rated at 10 percent. A separate 10 percent rating for the degenerative changes has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Dr. Frank Sailor and considering the Veteran's bilateral knee conditions in light of his service history.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability is alleged to have aggravated his right knee condition, and the Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if this aggravation occurred.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the knees, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by his service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The Board also found that the arthritis is not proximately due to, the result of, or chronically aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board affirmed the RO's rating decision with regard to higher initial and increased evaluations for right and left knee disabilities, granted service connection for tinnitus, and remanded the claims for further evaluation based on new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected conditions are not rated higher than the current evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee strain and chondromalacia with torn meniscus in the left knee are rated at 10 percent each, but his symptoms have worsened. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for either condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral knee disability was denied, and his initial rating claim for trigeminal neuralgia remains pending.