Knee decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased rating for hemorrhoids, service connection for mental disability (generalized anxiety disorder), sexual dysfunction, right ankle and shoulder disabilities, and reopening of previously denied claims for bilateral knee and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is rated at 20 percent effective March 20, 2006. The left quadriceps biopsy residuals are rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's increased ratings for his SFW scars and left knee disability are denied as the evidence does not show that any of these conditions warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current left knee disability. The issues presented on appeal concern whether it is clear and unmistakable that the Veteran had a preexisting left knee disorder prior to service, and if so, whether it was clearly and unmistakably not aggravated during service.

The Board has vacated its April 9, 2010 decision denying the Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 and 20 percent for his right knee and low back disabilities. The claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded to the RO. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for post-operative right knee plica excision with scars remains denied.

The Veteran's skin disorder, back disorder, bilateral foot and ankle disorders, and bilateral knee disorders are being remanded for further development to determine their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee ACL and meniscus ligament tears are related to his military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities meet the percentage rating standards for TDIU, and he is unemployable due solely to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for right knee chondromalacia, but did not find any other conditions related to active service.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for his left ankle disability was granted, with a 20% rating effective March 20, 2007. The issues of service connection for a left knee disability, chest pain, and PTSD remain unresolved.

The Veteran's original claim for service connection was received more than one year after his discharge from active duty, and thus the effective date of service connection is June 8, 2004.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for examinations to assess the nature and severity of his hiatal hernia, low back disability, and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple claims for service connection and evaluation of various disabilities, including a right wrist cyst, left knee disability, psychiatric condition, PTSD, joint pain, rash, and eye/sinus infection. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address these issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by VA treatment or negligence, and did not find service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the current disability of left knee internal derangement warranted a 10% rating, while arthritis did not warrant higher than 10%. Service connection was granted for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with arthrosis as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's right total knee replacement disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective June 1, 2009. The claim for an increased rating has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current low back disorder, right hand disorder, bilateral knee disorder, upper back disorder, or left ankle disorder. The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any chronic conditions related to his military service and there is no competent medical evidence linking these disorders to his period of active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for skeletal conditions, including knees, fractured ribs, a scarred lung, hip, and elbow is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his service treatment records from 1996 to 1997 and medical records from Heidelberg Army Hospital in Germany and Auburn Imaging in California.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple physical conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.