Knee decisions — 2010

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and granted service connection for vasomotor rhinitis with a noncompensable evaluation, effective November 12, 2002. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased rating for his vasomotor rhinitis was also denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his duodenal ulcer and right knee disability were denied. The Board found that the examinations did not comply with the remand instructions, particularly regarding functional impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability does not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities are related to his active service, including his duties as a paratrooper. The Board has determined that the Veteran's service information supports his reports of paratrooping during his active service, and post-service medical evidence shows he is currently diagnosed with degenerative joint disease and osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current right knee disability is related to his period of active service, including a documented 1975 basketball injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The effective date of any award would not impact the final April 1975 rating decision.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for his left knee disability and right wrist injury were denied. The Veteran was granted a temporary total rating for the left knee disability from February 3, 2006 to March 31, 2007, with a subsequent 30 percent evaluation effective April 1, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and he was granted a rating of 10 percent for synovitis of the right knee. The remaining claims are pending further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his period of active service or if it was caused by his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee degenerative arthritis warrant a combined rating of 30 percent, effective July 29, 2005. The ratings have been increased from the maximum available for these disabilities under DCs 5010-5260.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral knee disorder and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The claim for an increased rating for lumbar spine disability was also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial ratings were denied, while the claim for an earlier effective date was not adjudicated due to lack of certification.

The Board found no underlying condition or malady with regard to the Veteran's right knee pain, and thus denied service connection for a right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for lumbar strain, bilateral foot condition, and bilateral knee condition are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or connection to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability was reopened and granted. His bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's loss of use of the left foot due to amputation above the knee is not a compensable disability under Chapter 11 of Title 38 or as a result of an injury or disease incurred in service. Therefore, he does not meet the eligibility requirements for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Board has restored a 20 percent rating for the service-connected internal derangement of the right knee, status post injury with degenerative arthritis, effective February 1, 2008.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of her claim. The temporary total disability rating for convalescence following September 20, 2004, VA orthopedic treatment for bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right knee residuals was denied by the RO in July 2000 and August 2001. The Board denied service connection for PTSD in October 2006. In October 2008, the Board remanded the case to consider additional development.