Knee decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disorder and entitlement to an increased rating for his right ankle disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection. The right ankle disability was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board granted increased ratings for the appellant's service-connected right and left hallux valgus disabilities. The decision denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the appellant's service-connected left knee disability and a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and hemorrhoids, as well as her increased evaluation claim for right carpal tunnel syndrome and initial compensable evaluation for left foot hallux valgus. The VA Compensation and Pension Examination found no evidence of chronicity within one year after discharge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not causally related to his active service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's right knee condition existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. The current disability is less likely related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed bilateral ankle, leg, and knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities are all found to be service-connected.,Headaches have been granted a noncompensable rating prior to March 30, 2006. Since then, the Veteran is rated at 10 percent for headaches.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee condition, thyroid condition, high blood pressure, and peripheral neuropathy. The claim for exposure to Agent Orange as a result of herbicide exposure is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic left knee disorder and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The claim to reopen the low back and leg pain condition was not granted due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus (claimed as due to herbicide exposure) were also denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5261 for limitation of flexion. The appeal was granted as the current rating adequately compensates his condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, and bilateral polymyalgia rheumatica, finding that there was no medical evidence suggesting a relationship to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA examination reports.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip disorder, left knee disorder, and nerve damage to right bicep as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and right knee disability, finding that the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of these conditions during service or within one year after separation from service. The Board also found no evidence linking current diagnoses to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for the period prior to February 28, 2009 and 20 percent effective from that date. The appeal has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain his personnel file and any relevant medical records, including those from Wiesbaden Regional Medical Center. The Veteran will be scheduled for examinations to determine if his current disabilities were caused or aggravated by his service.

The Veteran's chondromalacia of the left knee is currently rated at 10 percent, and his range of motion allows for flexion to 120 degrees with slight pain during extreme flexion. The Board finds that this does not warrant a higher rating as there is no limitation in extension or instability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and medical records from various providers. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left knee disability and ventral umbilical hernia are pending.