Knee decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating for his low back strain, meniscectomy of the left knee with traumatic arthritis, or degenerative changes of the right knee.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee arthralgia and right knee internal derangement and degenerative arthritis, finding that the current disabilities are related to active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee arthritis was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee and left thumb disabilities were denied. The rating for the right knee remains at 10 percent, while the rating for the left thumb disability is also at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including loss of teeth, sinus condition, vision problems, bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), tinnitus, skin disability, and residuals of a left knee injury were denied. The decision also noted that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of a left knee disorder due to disease or injury incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection were granted, with the right distal radius fracture with degenerative changes of the wrist rated at 10 percent. The left elbow and right elbow disabilities are also service-connected as secondary to his hand impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bronchitis, as well as his requests for increased evaluations for GERD and right knee disability. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's increased rating claims for arthritis of his left and right knees prior to October 17, 2005. The current ratings of 30 percent are considered adequate.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of comminuted fracture to the right tibia and fibula was denied. The RO granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, but did not grant a higher evaluation as his disability picture does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee strains with chondromalacia are currently rated at 10 percent each, but the Board finds that neither condition warrants a higher rating based on current evidence of record.

The Veteran does not currently suffer from bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or gout and did not have these conditions during any time period on appeal.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities were denied. The claims of service connection for a right foot disability and a left foot disability are reopened.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding his claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence. The issues have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's GERD and erosive gastritis are rated at 10 percent, while his right knee and left knee retropatellar pain syndromes are each rated at 10 percent. The Veteran does not have a compensable rating for his right ankle sprain or right elbow olecranon bursitis.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision on the merits of the claims can be reached, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying the Veteran's dates of active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to his request for a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to insufficient evidence and further examination is required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches, left knee disability, right elbow laceration scar, and depression due to a lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various disabilities, all of which are secondary to his right knee disability. The Board has determined that further development is needed and the case is being remanded.