Knee decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a bilateral knee disorder, and a skin disorder to include as due to exposure to herbicides. The skin disorder was not found to be related to service or presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a temporary total evaluation were denied. The Board found that the correct effective date was March 8, 1995, and that he did not meet the criteria for a temporary total evaluation prior to this date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability and a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of such disabilities during service or related to any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for asthma and residuals of a left knee injury has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disability, pes planus with hallux valgus and plantar fasciitis, was granted. The Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities (chondromalacia patella and DJD) were not found to warrant a higher rating. The Veteran's PTSD was also granted but did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for arthritis of the right wrist, right elbow, left elbow, and right knee were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on eight specific conditions have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal in regard to an increased rating for post-operative residuals of a right knee injury has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his notice of disagreement. The case is remanded for further action regarding the claim for an increased rating for eczema/dermatitis.

The Board has restored the Veteran's original 20 percent ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities, as well as granted service connection for sleep apnea based on aggravation during his third period of active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip, leg, knee, ankle disabilities are service-connected and assigned a 10 percent disability rating for his service-connected right wrist fracture.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a statement of the case on his low back disability claim and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his psychiatric condition, knee arthritis, hip disability, low back disability, and right shoulder disability. The examiner should also determine if these disabilities are related to service or not.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including verification of periods of active military service and VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are not found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected low back disability. His DDD of L3-S1 is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for left knee disability, status post left knee replacement surgery from November 1, 2006 was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date for housebound SMC were denied. The Board upheld the current ratings assigned.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition due to lack of current diagnosis and failure to establish a nexus between her current disability and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected bilateral knee disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and attempting to obtain a spousal examination report.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective since November 13, 2008. His right knee disability remains rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the Veteran's current ratings are appropriate based on his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and instability, is currently evaluated at 20 percent. A separate 10 percent evaluation for arthritis has been granted.