Knee decisions — 2009

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that new and material evidence has been received. However, the Board denied the underlying claim as there is no competent medical opinion linking the current left knee disorder to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left knee disorder has been withdrawn. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 3, 2007, is denied as the evidence does not support a higher disability rating. The claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss from July 3, 2007, is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to incomplete information and the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for VCAA notice regarding applicable diagnostic criteria.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and reopening of service connection were denied. The right knee disability was rated at the maximum available under Diagnostic Codes, while the initial denials for elbow and low back disabilities remain unresolved.

The Veteran's claim for a separate initial disability rating for service-connected residuals of a post-operative left knee injury, based on instability, from February 1, 2005, is denied due to the Veteran failing to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right or left knee disorder and that any such disorders are not related to service. The VA examinations indicate that the Veteran's complaints of pain in his knees during service were likely due to normal wear and tear, and there is no evidence of arthritis or other significant changes in either knee.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right knee disability and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of right knee injury are rated at 50 percent, effective from September 19, 2005. The claim for hypertension is pending as the evidence does not establish a current disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, her claim for a temporary total rating based on hospitalization is denied as she does not have basic eligibility for that benefit.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a right knee disability, to include as secondary to a left knee disability, have been reopened. However, the new evidence does not establish that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability was incurred in service or within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left knee, right knee, and bilateral hip disorders are currently rated as per the criteria provided.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the Appellant.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current right hip disability and bilateral knee disabilities, including whether they are related to service or pre-service conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were incurred during his period of active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for peripheral vascular disease with left below-the-knee amputation and right ear hearing loss, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran is entitled to an extraschedular evaluation for his left knee disability.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability was granted a non-compensable evaluation prior to January 26, 2007 and an initial compensable evaluation of 10 percent thereafter. The Veteran's CTS, left wrist, was granted a non-compensable evaluation prior to March 7, 2007 and an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent thereafter.