Knee decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of the claimed disabilities and thus service connection cannot be granted for any of the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected shell fragment wound scars and traumatic arthritis of the left knee are being remanded to allow for additional examinations and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's right knee scar is rated as 0 percent disabling, and his claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for generalized anxiety disorder was granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for service-connected right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection claims have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed the appeals due to withdrawal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of PTSD and there is no competent medical evidence linking an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD to his service. For the period prior to May 13, 2009, the Veteran's right knee disability was evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed stressors were corroborated, but did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of a verified PTSD diagnosis. The residuals of knee injuries are also denied as they are not related to service.

The Veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right knee condition. The Board has ordered additional development to determine the nature, extent, onset and etiology of his diagnosed right knee condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, a thoracic spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, left leg disorder, left ankle disorder, and head injury. The appeals were not related to exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, radiation, or Gulf War. No new evidence was presented that would reopen the previously denied claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability, right ankle disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and hypertension. The evidence received since the August 2000 rating decision is new and material with respect to these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected total right knee replacement is currently rated at 60 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The Board found that his symptoms of severe pain, swelling, and weakness warranted this higher rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder and determined that there is sufficient evidence to establish that his current condition, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease (arthritis), is at least partly attributable to an injury he sustained during military service in February 1944. The Board found that resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, it was more likely than not that his left knee disorder was incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of an injury to the cervical spine and left knee DJD were denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the origin of his current left knee disorder and whether it is related to service, including an in-service motor vehicle accident. The Veteran will also receive VCAA notice.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate given the current limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that hyperlipidemia is not a disability for VA compensation purposes and thus cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing. The claims of service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee and lateral meniscus tear and chondromalacia of the right knee are still pending, as is the claim for service connection for shoulder disabilities.