Knee decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee and depressive disorder, as well as to update treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for either automobile and adaptive equipment or specially adapted housing assistance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an examination and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, rhinitis, and initial ratings higher than 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy of her lower extremities. The claim for service connection for a left knee disorder was previously denied in July 1993 and is final based on the evidence then of record.

The Veteran's knee conditions do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied as he did not meet the threshold service eligibility requirements. The Board found that his military service does not qualify him for VA pension benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right hip disability, and left hip disability were denied. The claim for increased rating for left knee sprain was also denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left leg and left ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disorder has not been manifested by chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness in the affected extremity; ankylosis; extension limited to 30 degrees or more; nor impairment analogous to nonunion of the tibia or fibula with loose motion, requiring brace. Therefore, a rating in excess of 30 percent for right knee disorder from May 1, 2006 is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees, as well as pes planus with plantar fasciitis and hallux valgus of both feet, were denied. The clinical evidence did not show any additional limitation of function or pain noted with repetitive motion at the most recent VA examination in January 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of blindness in the left eye, loss of motor skills to include Multiple Sclerosis, or residuals of a right knee injury. The evidence does not support service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, emphysema, and benign brain cyst with neuropathy of the lower extremities. The claim for costochondritis was granted but not increased beyond 10 percent. Claims for patellofemoral pain syndrome and synovitis of both knees were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected lumbar strain, right knee strain, and left knee strain are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant or his authorized representative.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of new evidence. The claims for increased ratings for varicose veins and service connection for knee and ankle disabilities are being reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of meniscectomy of the left knee with degenerative joint disease was denied. The disability involves arthritis and instability, but does not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on these factors.

The Board has denied all service connection claims, except for PTSD and abdominal scar. The Veteran's bilateral shin splints, left hip quad strain, GERD, stomach ulcer, residuals of a fracture of the right 5th toe, neck disability, abnormal pap test, ovarian cyst, constipation, hemorrhoids, left knee disability, and sinusitis have not been found to be related to her military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not meet the criteria for service connection as it was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by his military service, and there is no presumption of service connection due to exposure to noise. The right knee disorder and sinusitis issues are pending and will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep problems, stomach disability with nausea, bruising, chondromalacia of the left knee, chondromalacia of both knees, and arthralgia of both ankles have been denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating by reason of individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding her employment status and functional impairment caused by her service-connected disabilities.