Knee decisions — 2009

The Board found no evidence of a right or left knee disorder in service and denied the claims. The residuals of a fractured sternum were also denied as there was no aggravation during service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disorder. The Veteran's right (major) fifth finger fracture residuals have not met the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for patellofemoral syndrome, left knee is being remanded due to the incorrect address for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, right knee disability, and low back disability were not incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic right knee disorder, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by active duty and is not due to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee chondromalacia, although not explicitly diagnosed in service, is related to his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition. The claims for hair loss and sinusitis were denied as there was no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records from Bay Pines VAMC and Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC). The Veteran's right knee disability is being reviewed to determine if it is service-connected.

The Veteran's arthritis of both knees was not found to be related to service or his service-connected cephalgia, and the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition and increased rating for early degenerative changes of the left knee was denied. The decision is based on the current disability ratings assigned.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities have not met the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and therefore his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is denied.

The Board has granted initial ratings of 20 percent for left and right knee degenerative joint disease, effective from the date of the grant of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, right knee and shoulder disabilities, and lumbar spine condition, are not related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for loss of sense of taste was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and no competent evidence linking the claimed condition to his active service. The claims for right and left knee disabilities were also denied due to lack of medical evidence showing in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and an earlier effective date for his service-connected right knee disability are being remanded to the RO for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the majority of issues. The claim for an increased rating for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The Veteran is also not entitled to special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected osteoarthritis of the left hip and residuals of medial and lateral menisectomies of the left knee were denied as there is no evidence showing that either condition warrants a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability to his service, and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected left foot disability and his current right foot, back, and knee disorders.