Knee decisions — 2009

The Board found no evidence of a left knee disability being incurred in or aggravated by active military service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder, a right hip disorder, and a low back disorder that are related to the Veteran's service-connected left hip disorder. The initial evaluation of 10 percent is maintained.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of this claim due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for clarification on the nature and etiology of the claimed disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease of the right knee, is due to aggravation of his preexisting injury incurred during a squadron softball game while in service. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee with arthroscopy is being remanded due to a need for additional examination and evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is unrelated to his active duty service and denied service connection for this condition. The Board also found that the Veteran's back injury residuals, left knee chondromalacia patella, and right knee chondromalacia patella are not entitled to increased disability ratings as they do not meet the criteria established by VA regulations.

The Board has ordered the case remanded to the RO for further development, including a VA examination and clarification of diagnoses.

The Board found that the Veteran's arthritis of the left knee was not incurred in or aggravated by military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee, shoulder, and degenerative arthritis disorders are not related to his active service. The evidence does not show continuity of symptomatology or a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's left knee disability, manifested by range of motion from zero to 90 degrees and no joint instability, does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability, diagnosed as bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, was neither incurred in nor aggravated by active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim for an increased rating for bilateral tinnitus. The decision also addressed a claim to reopen his right knee disability, but found no new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's other claims of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding no evidence of a chronic condition related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The hiatus hernia claim was withdrawn, and the below-the-knee amputation claim is denied due to lack of a nexus between the service-connected cold injury residuals and the amputation. Service connection for traumatic arthritis of the cervical and thoracic spine and both shoulders remains pending as the original denial in 1969 did not include these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently evaluated with a 30 percent rating for laxity and a 10 percent rating for degenerative joint disease. The claim for an increased evaluation has been denied.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a left knee or leg and hip disorder related to service. The Veteran's complaints are not credible, as he did not report these symptoms until many years after separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the obtaining of medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities warrant a 20 percent rating each since August 12, 2005.