Knee decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal of the increased rating for divided left Achilles tendon was withdrawn prior to a decision. The case is being remanded for further development regarding service connection for disabilities of the hips and pelvis.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection were denied. The claim to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) was not successful.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed low back, left knee, right knee, and right ankle disabilities. The claims were adjudicated on their merits without finding any new evidence to reopen previously denied claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records and an examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left elbow disability, residuals of an injury to the left knee, and a scar to the inner left ankle area as there is no credible evidence establishing an event, injury, or disease in service that could be associated with these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder and left knee disabilities are related to his military service, while his right eye disability is likely due to a traumatic injury during service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion in the May 2008 VA examination, and a new examination is required.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records and schedule him for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability was evaluated as 10 percent disabling from April 1, 2005, to July 31, 2006. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than the currently assigned 10 percent disability rating for his right knee degenerative joint disease and meniscal degeneration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the left knee is not related to his military service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip condition is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of a current disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral wrist disability, bilateral knee disability, and PTSD. The issues were not about service connection at all as the appeal was based on a citation number rather than specific conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee condition has been received. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a left knee condition is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision below and is REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC), in Washington, DC.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee conditions, including limitation of extension and medial meniscectomy with secondary traumatic arthritis. Both issues are on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee with patellar tendinitis were denied. The Board found that his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for chondromalacia of the right knee and assigned a 20% disability rating. The Veteran's left knee is rated at 30%, with an effective date prior to June 8, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and residuals of tuberculosis exposure. The decision also addressed other issues such as bilateral shoulder and knee disorders, carpal tunnel syndrome, sacroiliac disorder, and tinnitus.