Knee decisions — 2009

The Veteran's Osgood-Schlatter disease of the left knee was not rated compensably before March 22, 2002 and a rating higher than 10 percent from that date was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and arthritis of the left knee were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the old rating criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for knee disorder, sinusitis, and tinnitus. The claim for an initial compensable rating for low back pain with sciatica was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's back, knee, and ankle conditions are not related to his active duty service. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for service-connected lumbar strain was not proper, and denied his claims for service connection for left knee disorder and left hip disorder.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various conditions, including hepatitis C, abdominal disability, head injury/concussion, eye injury/abrasion, black widow spider bite, and asbestos exposure-related disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU were denied. The initial rating of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy was maintained, and the left knee disability remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial evaluations were partially granted, with the right knee chondromalacia patella receiving a 20 percent evaluation effective March 20, 2000. The instability of the right knee received a 10 percent evaluation effective September 25, 2008. The depressive disorder was assigned a 30 percent initial evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to June 6, 2003 for initial 30 percent ratings for service-connected bilateral knee disabilities are denied. The claim for an increased rating for the service-connected reactive bone lesion, L1 with neuralgia of the lower extremities is granted as of September 16, 2002.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 20 percent disability rating for his service-connected right knee disability was denied. His claim for an increased rating and earlier effective date for the left superficial branch of the radial nerve neuroma/neuritis were also denied.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to inadequate notice and possible loss of VA medical records. The right knee disability claim is pending, skin rashes and blisters need further examination, and the fatty tumors require additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete records and need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for left knee trauma and degenerative joint disease, right shoulder bursitis, and right wrist fracture and limitation of motion are denied as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation under applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new examination.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and the issues regarding his right and left wrist disabilities are also denied. The Board finds that the current evaluations do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee and hearing loss disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left knee strain, finding that his range of motion did not meet the criteria for a separate rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261. The Board also found no evidence of instability warranting a separate rating under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities, which include degenerative disc disease, degenerative changes of both knees, diabetes mellitus type 2, pes cavus in both feet, hypertension, arthritic changes of the left shoulder, and rheumatoid arthritis affecting both lower extremities.