Knee decisions — 2009

The Board found no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, being incurred during service and denied the claim. The Veteran's left knee disorder is also not considered to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his knee disability, PTSD, back condition, and early systolic murmur were denied. The claim to reopen the early systolic murmur was granted.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for right and left knee disabilities have been granted, with a rating of 10 percent each.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for her right knee and hip conditions has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of her request for an increased rating for patellofemoral pain syndrome, chondromalacia, and osteoarthritis of the right knee.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated during active duty service and is not due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's right knee post-operative ACL repair with instability is rated at 20 percent for the period prior to July 14, 2005.,For the initial rating period from July 14, 2005, a separate 10 percent rating has been granted for arthritis of the right knee.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various lower extremity disabilities, including hips, knees and feet, that he claims are secondary to his service-connected low back disability. The Board finds the case requires additional development as there is conflicting medical evidence and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected nephrolithiasis and left knee lateral meniscal tear were granted increased ratings, with the nephrolithiasis receiving a 10 percent rating effective April 1, 2008.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, residuals of right ankle injury, and right foot disability. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for patella pain syndrome of the right knee, which he claims occurred during active duty. The RO denied this claim as there was no evidence of a current right knee disability. The Board has decided to remand the case for further development including obtaining an MRI and arranging for an orthopedic examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine whether the appellant requires regular aid and attendance due to her medical conditions, which could affect her ability to perform daily activities and require assistance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate reasons and bases in two areas: failure to adequately consider pain and functional loss of the left knee at 110 degrees of flexion and on full extension, and failure to address whether a higher or separate rating was warranted based on consideration of Diagnostic Codes 5257, 5260, and 5261.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for muscle and joint pain due to an undiagnosed illness is denied as there are no diagnosed illnesses found.,Service connection for bilateral elbow tendinitis is denied as the condition was not incurred during active duty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need to consider both old and new rating criteria, as well as extraschedular considerations. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.

The Board granted an increased rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's left knee chondromalacia patella status post partial lateral meniscectomy and granted a separate, 10 percent rating for instability of the left knee effective February 18, 2005.

The Veteran's right knee disability is manifested by arthritis with some limitation of motion, and no instability. The Board finds that the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of motion, and a separate 10 percent rating has been granted for slight lateral instability. The appeal is resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His right knee disability was rated at 20 percent, his lumbosacral spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to September 26, 2003, and 10 percent thereafter, his right shoulder disability was not granted service connection, and his left shoulder disability was also not granted service connection. The appeal for cervical spine disability with bilateral hand numbness was withdrawn by the Veteran.