Knee decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee, left hip, lumbosacral spine, and left shoulder disabilities are not related to his service-connected right ankle disability. The evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection for any of these conditions.

The RO reduced the evaluation for left knee instability from 20% to noncompensable effective October 1, 2008. The RO also maintained a 40% rating for degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by any of his service-connected disabilities, including post-phlebitic syndrome and its associated medications. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions were unrelated to the fatal intra-cerebral hemorrhage.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been denied by the RO.

Throughout the rating period, the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left knee was manifested by pain and limited range of motion. The VA determined that a disability rating greater than 10 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee postoperative degenerative joint disease is productive of symptomatology, including pain and limited flexion to no less than 90 degrees; extension to no more than 0 degrees. The disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and left knee tendonitis were evaluated, but the assigned ratings did not meet the criteria for higher ratings at any time.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, including residuals of a menisectomy and osteoarthritis, has been rated at 30 percent for the medial menisectomy. A separate rating of 10 percent was assigned for osteoarthritis prior to January 5, 2010, and increased to 20 percent beginning that date.

Service connection for major depressive disorder was granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent and a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's left knee disability is also currently rated at 10 percent and a higher rating is denied.,Asbestosis has been increased in evaluation to 10 percent.,Service connection for TDIU prior to May 6, 2009 was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension, PTSD, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and multiple diabetic neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities, are considered in determining his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The RO must obtain a supplemental opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure of proper notice for a scheduled hearing. The case will be rescheduled at the Regional Office.

The Veteran's appeal is about service connection for bilateral lower extremity disabilities, including right great toe fracture and knee arthritis. The Board has ordered a remand to determine if these conditions are related to Agent Orange exposure or in-service pesticide exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder and low back disorder are not related to service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the exception of those related to hearing loss and arthritis pain. The Veteran was also awarded initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for certain conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities, as well as a claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine disability. The decision found that there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and a right knee disorder, both related to the Veteran's in-service injuries. Service connection was denied for residuals of a head injury.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and determine if he is unemployable.

The Veteran's service-connected patellofemoral dysfunction, genu varum, left knee with arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent effective September 19, 2007. The right knee disability is not shown to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's right knee, right hip, and low back disabilities are found to be related to his military service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.