Knee decisions — 2010

The Veteran seeks service connection for various knee conditions. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions, including whether they are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected post traumatic chondromalacia patella, left knee with synovitis is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and consideration of other evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar strain with disc bulge at L4-L5 was denied as the evidence did not show flexion to fewer than 90 degrees or combined range of motion totaling less than 240 degrees.,The effective date for service connection for a left knee disability was denied as it was assigned after separation from service, and no earlier effective date is available under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to work, but further development is needed to determine if his employment issues are solely due to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The claims for right ear hearing loss and residuals of cold injuries are also denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during or after service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DJD of the right and left knees, as well as DJD of the left shoulder, were denied by the RO. The RO found that the current evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his knee conditions.

The Veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis were found to be noncompensable, while the Veteran's retropatellar pain syndrome of the left knee and chondromalacia patella of the right knee were not rated higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right shoulder arthritis, left knee disability, and right thumb fracture are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition and bilateral eye conditions have been reopened. However, the evidence does not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back and knee disabilities are not service-connected as they did not begin in service or for many years thereafter, and there is no credible medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including instability and arthritis, has been rated at 30 percent since December 1, 2007. The decision grants the increased rating for his post-operative total right knee arthroplasty.

The Veteran's service-connected compartment syndrome of the left lower extremity is currently rated as noncompensable, and his right lower extremity is rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's traumatic arthritis of the right knee with torn meniscus, left knee, and left ankle are all rated at 10 percent, while his right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as there is no remaining allegation of error in fact or law with respect to the issue of additional special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance, or on the basis of being housebound.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is considered to have been incurred during service. The Board has also found that the Veteran currently has a left knee disorder and low back disorder related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for his left knee and right knee disabilities was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for either condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records from May 1996 to September 2001. The claim will be reconsidered and a supplemental statement of the case will be issued if necessary.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability and hemorrhoids were not incurred or aggravated during active service, and denied both claims.

The Board granted a separate 20 percent evaluation for right knee instability and remanded the issues of increased evaluations for right knee disability.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a bilateral knee or hip disability due to disease or injury incurred in service, and denied his claims for secondary service connection.