Knee decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and hypertension, were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, amputation of the left leg above the knee, residuals of cold injury of the right lower extremity, arthritis of the right knee, arthritis of the right and left shoulders, and residuals of a left chest injury. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a causal link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a review by a VA examiner to determine if the Veteran's current knee and cervical spine disabilities were caused by repeated parachute jumps in service.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities are not shown to be productive of a disability picture that precludes him from securing and following some form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 20 percent prior to April 19, 2006. The claim for a higher evaluation remains denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee disorder, including arthritis and torn medial menisci, was not incurred in service or due to a disease or injury that began during service. The claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the additional dependency allowance is granted, as he was eligible based on a combined evaluation at or above 30 percent for his service-connected disabilities since May 4, 1987.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tooth and gum disease was withdrawn. Service connection for a right knee disability was reopened based on new evidence. A rating of 20 percent for arthritis of the left knee from August 22, 2005 to January 10, 2006 was granted.

The Veteran's right knee disability is manifested by swelling, stiffness, and pain with flare-ups after bending or prolonged sitting/standing. His symptoms are tantamount to limitation of flexion to 30 degrees without loss of extension. The Board concludes that an increased rating of 20 percent is warranted for the residuals of his right knee arthroscopy.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied as the criteria for assignment of an earlier effective date have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee strain, 30 percent for thoracolumbar radiculopathy and degenerative arthritis, or any additional rating for groin pain.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which includes arthrotomy and meniscectomy, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to lack of significant instability or additional limitation of motion.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left leg disability, including as secondary to his service-connected dermatitis. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records.

The Board found that the Veteran's arthritis of the fingers and hands was aggravated by active military service, and his arthritis of the left knee was also aggravated. The claim for arthritis of the right knee and all other major joints was denied as there is no evidence they existed before service or are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings were adjudicated, and the Board found that some issues warranted a grant of noncompensable or 10 percent ratings while others required higher ratings. The decision is mixed as to whether some conditions are granted or denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's low back disability, right leg radiculopathy, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee are all service-connected. The decision affords the benefit of doubt to these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher initial evaluation for his left knee disability and TDIU, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating or entitlement to TDIU based on service-connected disabilities alone.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and low back disorder. The claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a supplemental opinion from the VA examiner regarding whether any current left hand disability is related to service and whether any right knee disability is caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for reopening his service connection for bilateral knee disability due to lack of new and material evidence.