Knee decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability was reduced to a 10 percent rating, but the Board has now restored the 20 percent rating based on evidence showing improvement in his condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome was denied, and his claim seeking service connection for a left knee condition secondary to his service-connected right knee disability was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is more likely than not incurred in service during April 2002. The initial rating for LPM prior to October 25, 2004 was granted at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chondromalacia of the left knee warrants a noncompensable rating, and his allergic rhinitis does not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including a torn meniscus and osteoarthritis, was rated at 100 percent effective July 9, 2009 following his total left knee arthroplasty.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left hip disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The initial increased ratings for arthralgia of the left shoulder and left arm (elbow) are also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee chondromalacia is currently rated at 10 percent disabling. The VA examination reports do not support a higher rating as the range of motion does not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not show that he has residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness in either leg, nor ankylosis of either knee. The Veteran currently receives a 30 percent rating for each knee.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that his current condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis is rated at 20 percent, his post-operative right ankle fusion with leg length shortening at 30 percent, and he has a separate 10 percent evaluation for residual muscle injury of the right calf. The Veteran does not have an initial compensable evaluation for his right heel fasciitis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disability and bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, verify reported stressors, and determine the nature of his current conditions. The VA will also provide a mental disorders examination and assess whether his diagnosed conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current right or left knee disability that was incurred in or aggravated by service, and it cannot be attributed to any injury, disease, or event during service. The appellant's disabilities are found to be proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected disability of his lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus and a left knee disability were denied as new and material evidence was not received. The claim for service connection for a right knee disability and headaches is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for right tibia disability (claimed as right knee disability) because no new and material evidence was received.

The Veteran's multiple disabilities, including bronchial asthma, renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, dextroscoliosis of the lumbar spine, osteoarthritis of both knees, and cataract, are reasonably certain to continue throughout his life and sufficiently severe to prevent him from following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board grants nonservice-connected pension benefits based on permanent and total disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee, hand, and spine disorders. The Veteran's current complaints of joint pain are related to his military service.

The Veteran's back, ankle, and knee disabilities are not service-connected as they do not have onset in service or within one year of service. The Board finds that the medical evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were caused by military service.