Knee decisions — 2009

The Veteran is seeking service connection for osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees, which he contends is related to his service-connected post-traumatic degenerative arthritis of the left ankle and foot with calcaneal spurring. The Board finds that additional records are needed to determine if there was an in-service knee injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the San Diego VA RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and lumbar spine conditions had their onset during service, granting service connection for these disabilities. However, there is no evidence linking his current left knee disability to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and low back disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the low back claim. The right knee claim was also denied as there is no current evidence of a right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability rating was reduced from 30 percent to 20 percent, and this decision is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disorders, including osteochondritis dissecans. Service connection is also granted for a back disorder, to include as secondary to the bilateral knee disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee is granted. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a hearing request. The issues of service connection for right knee injuries and temporary total evaluation are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left knee disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis, bilateral knee disability, and left ankle disability as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is reopened but service connection is not granted.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent disabling each. The Board has determined that the claims for increased ratings should be addressed by bifurcating them into two separate issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the submission of additional evidence. The RO will review this new evidence and determine if any benefits can be granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine and right knee were denied. The Veteran was awarded a separate evaluation of 20 percent for lateral instability and moderate recurrent subluxation related to his right knee disorder, effective from August 20, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as his combined disability rating is 80 percent, which does not meet the required percentage threshold. The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent for arthritis and slight instability, while the left knee disabilities are rated based on their respective conditions.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as there is no evidence of additional disabling symptomatology that would warrant separate evaluations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, cardiovascular disability, and residuals of a head injury due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,There were no in-service injuries or diagnoses related to these conditions. The post-service medical records did not show any chronic symptoms until many years after service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension on account of the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the issues of service connection and increased evaluations related to hiatal hernia, dental condition, hypertension, heart murmur, low back injury, irritable bowel syndrome, bilateral pes planus, left knee chondromalacia with degenerative joint disease, and right knee chondromalacia with degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of his left knee disability, and the Board has dismissed this matter.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication.