Knee decisions — 2009

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected left and right knee patellofemoral syndromes have not resulted in any compensable limitations of flexion or extension, nor do they show ankylosis. The current ratings for these conditions remain at 10 percent.

The Board denied entitlement to an extraschedular rating based on the combined impact of the Veteran's service connected right knee disorders, finding that his disabilities did not warrant such a rating due to their severity and the presence of other significant non-service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for additional development, including an examination to determine if it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected residuals of fracture of the left fibula.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues except the ones related to Agent Orange exposure. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review these remaining issues.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating and reopening of service connection for gastrointestinal disability and muscle and joint pain with bilateral wrist swelling to include as due to undiagnosed illness are remanded for further development.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's contentions that his current type II diabetes mellitus is related to service, and denied the claim. The right knee replacement issue remains pending as it involves a denial of entitlement to service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for reactive arthritis/synovitis affecting multiple joints and astigmatism due to medication secondary to reactive arthritis/synovitis, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for degenerative osteoarthritis of the right knee, which he claims is related to a fall during active duty in March/April 1952. The Board has ordered additional development including obtaining medical records and arranging for an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lower extremity disabilities, including bilateral ankle instability, right foot plantar faciitis, degenerative disc disease with spondylosis of the lumbar spine, bilateral hip arthritis, and bilateral knee arthritis, are not related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if any current knee and hip disabilities are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's gastroenteritis is related to his active duty service and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issues of entitlement to service connection for headaches and left knee impairment are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and left knee traumatic arthritis render him unemployable, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's GERD is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected chondromalacia of the left knee, and denied both claims for secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for a right knee disability. The issue remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, as well as consideration of other pending issues.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and his asthmatic bronchitis is also rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are currently assigned the maximum schedular rating under their respective diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and earlier effective dates, finding that the criteria were not met for higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, left ankle disability, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and degenerative joint disease of the left knee have all been granted.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current right or left knee disability during service, and the Veteran's arthritis was not shown until many years after service. There is also no competent medical opinion linking any current knee disabilities to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to withdrawal by the appellant.