Knee decisions — 2010

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee and an increased initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee internal derangement.

The Veteran's sinusitis is manifested by more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year with pressure, pain, headaches, nasal congestion, nose drainage, nasal sores, yellow and green discharge, foul breath, and two episodes requiring antibiotic use. Therefore, a 30 percent evaluation for sinusitis has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the RO for scheduling this hearing.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of a left total knee replacement, claiming the treatment was due to VA negligence following surgery in July 2006. The case must be remanded for further development and an opinion regarding causation.

The Veteran's initial and increased rating claims for his service-connected right shoulder strain and right knee disability have been granted, with a 30 percent rating assigned effective March 11, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right and left knees have been granted a combined rating of 10 percent effective September 15, 2009.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluation of lumbosacral spine disability, service connection for a right knee disability secondary to his lumbosacral spine disability, and TDIU due to his lumbosacral spine disability. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to address the credibility of the appellant's lay statements regarding his knee injuries in service and continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, including his partial medial meniscectomy and associated laxity of the medial ligament, did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of both knees is not related to service or his service-connected left ankle and foot disorder, and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, which includes arthritis and limitation of motion, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and the Board finds that his suicide does not meet the criteria for willful misconduct resulting in suicide.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a chronic bilateral knee disorder and chronic bilateral hearing loss disability to the RO for additional action, including obtaining verification of his periods of active duty, active duty for training, and inactive duty for training with the Army Reserve.

The Board denied increased ratings for left and right knee patellofemoral arthritis, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disability.

The veteran is seeking service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee, which he claims is secondary to his already service-connected right knee disability. The case has been remanded due to procedural issues and a need for a new hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her right foot disorder and left knee disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle pains, thoracolumbar spine disorder, bilateral shin splints, and muscle and joint pains due to an undiagnosed illness. The claim for increased ratings for retropatellar pain syndrome of both knees and headaches have also been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for VA examinations to determine the nature and likely etiology of her claimed PTSD, back condition, and knee condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for further development, including a new VA examination and consideration of his claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee disability is related to service.