Knee decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant has been denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability did not begin during service and is not related to any in-service injury. The claim for left knee disability is being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder, left knee, and coccyx disabilities have been rated as appropriate based on their current functional limitations. The appeals for higher ratings are denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent for degenerative joint disease, with limitation of extension to 15 degrees. The Board has determined that a separate 20 percent evaluation for limitation of extension under Diagnostic Code 5261 is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting higher disability evaluations or establishing service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for his service-connected right and left knee retropatellar pain syndrome, as well as bilateral plantar fasciitis, were denied. The evidence did not support the assignment of a rating greater than 10 percent for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been denied. The left knee disability is not shown to warrant a higher rating, and the wrist laceration residuals are only painful.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for the left knee, and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of in-service onset or causation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's diagnosed back and bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service, nor may such conditions be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by service. As a result, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for his bilateral knees were last assessed in October 2006 and July 2007. The case is now REMANDED to the RO due to new evidence suggesting an increase in severity of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the L5-S1 spine, left knee arthritis with a history of meniscectomy, and right knee arthritis have been denied as there is no evidence showing that any of these conditions meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent at any time during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral knee chondromalacia, and bilateral wrist disability are all rated at their maximum levels. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected knee and shoulder disabilities have been evaluated, but none of the claims for increased ratings are granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service and not proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for residuals of an injury to the left knee and leg, as well as low back disability. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disability causes loss of use of both lower extremities, such that he requires a wheelchair for locomotion. As his combined disability rating is 100%, he meets the criteria for specially adapted housing but not for special home adaptation grant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability was incurred during his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for additional benefits 'awarded but unpaid' to which the Veteran would have been entitled retroactively to December 1, 1998. The case is now remanded for a VA medical opinion regarding whether any of the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially to cause his death.

The Veteran's appeal is about whether his service-connected left knee strain should be rated higher, and if so, what specific symptoms are related to this condition. The VA examiner did not provide the requested opinions regarding these issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip bursitis, disability of the right knee, and left knee disability. The Board found no evidence of a chronic condition within one year post-service discharge or any nexus to military service.