Knee decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disabilities, including patellar chondromalacia and osteoarthritis of the patellofemoral joint, were permanently aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including medical nexus opinions and a VA examination to determine the etiology of his right knee and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's right and left knee strains are service connected, with the thoracolumbar strain also being granted.,Service connection for the right and left knee strains is established. However, an initial rating higher than 10 percent for the thoracolumbar strain is denied.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right hip or knee disorder during service, and the Veteran's current diagnoses are characterized as mild. The Board also found that his current disorders were not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right foot disability.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for allergic rhinitis and a right knee disability prior to the specified dates, as well as in excess of those ratings since the specified dates, are denied.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine and right knee arthritis were denied.,Service connection was granted for irritable bowel syndrome, but a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to April 4, 2007 was denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an above-the-knee amputation of the left leg, claimed as secondary to his service-connected shell fragment wound residuals. The case is REMANDED due to incomplete VCAA notice and need for SSA records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, left knee, and lumbar spine disorders have been remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right shoulder disorder has been presented. The case is now REMANDED for further development, including an examination to determine the etiology of any currently present right shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is not related to service or his service-connected right knee disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and lumbar myositis are service-connected. The left knee disability is not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee degenerative arthritis and bilateral hearing loss were not rated higher than noncompensable, as the evidence did not support a finding of more severe impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability caused his current degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine and right knee, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a current VA examination and additional development of his medical records.

The Board has granted an extension of a temporary total disability rating for the service-connected right ankle disability beyond November 30, 2003, until February 29, 2004. The appeal regarding service connection for back issues and initial evaluation of right foot injury remains pending.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been manifested by complaints of pain and functional impairment, but no more than a limitation of flexion to 130 degrees. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on instability or other complications.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board dismissed the case due to this withdrawal.

The VA determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disabilities, including osteomyelitis and amputation of the leg.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disorder, dermatitis of the elbows and feet, actinic keratosis, status post excision of squamous cell carcinoma of the left upper arm, and an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD. The evidence did not support these claims.