Knee decisions — 2010

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, including as secondary to the service-connected right ankle disability. The evidence shows that the Veteran's left knee had some service-related problems and is likely significant.

The Veteran's right knee disability, postoperative residuals of a right knee injury, is currently rated at 30 percent and the claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent has been denied.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected arthritis of the right knee and left knee remain on appeal. The RO has requested additional evidence from SSA, but no response was provided. The AMC/RO should obtain copies of all Workman Compensation Board determinations pertaining to the Veteran's knees and underlying medical records associated with those determinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral knee disorder, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The Board also found that these disorders are secondary to his service-connected cold injury residuals.,Service connection is granted for a low back disorder and bilateral knee disorder as they are considered secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cold injury residuals of the feet.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or malunion of the tibia and fibula, which would warrant higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a higher rating for his left knee conditions or service connection for right hip, left hip, cervical spine, or thoracic disorders.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder and remanded it for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the appellant's right knee disability warrants a 20 percent evaluation, effective from December 13, 2005.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for psoriasis, degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine, and degenerative joint disease of the left knee were denied as there is no evidence to support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Veteran's right knee disability, which was previously rated at 10 percent, is now rated at 20 percent effective from the date of service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability due to missing service medical records and incomplete personnel files. The case will be returned to the RO for further development, including obtaining treatment records from VA facilities and attempting to obtain the Veteran's service personnel files.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left knee patellar tendonitis and vasomotor rhinitis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for either condition, nor did it meet the criteria for a compensable rating for vasomotor rhinitis.

The Board found that the Veteran's sarcoidosis was not incurred during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), and denied service connection for this condition. The bilateral knee disorder issue is remanded to the RO.

The Board denied all of the Veteran's claims, including those for service connection and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the seizure disorder pre-existed service and was not permanently aggravated during service, and that the psychiatric, orthopedic, and dental disorders were not shown in service or caused by service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's left knee replacement residuals are not shown to warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, but he is entitled to a separate 20 percent disability rating for moderate instability.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 30 percent effective January 1, 2009.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, including as secondary to the service-connected right ankle disability. The evidence shows that the Veteran's left knee had some service-related problems and is likely significant.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from 1966 and 1994, and for a VA medical examination to determine if any current left knee disability is causally related to service.