Knee decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not proximately caused by a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection due to lack of evidence showing a chronic bilateral knee disorder during or following service. The RO determined that new and material evidence had not been received sufficient to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's left hamstring injury with semitendinosus tear and myositis ossificans is rated at 20 percent, the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 5313. The Veteran's left lower extremity compression of the sciatic nerve is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left knee, left hip and right hip disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee strains do not warrant an increased rating as they do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence that has not been considered by the RO. The case will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn, and his claims for service connection for stroke residuals; increased disability ratings for a renal disorder, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension; and TDIU are all granted.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations of his service-connected left and right knee disabilities, as well as a claim for service connection for a right ankle disorder, were granted. The Veteran also requested TDIU but the issue was referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice and because of the inextricably intertwined nature of his claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's chronic left knee and ankle sprain/strain residuals were initially manifested during active service, and the Board has now granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for clarification of the basis for the use of Diagnostic Code 5257 and for a VA examination to address specific Deluca factors.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted effective October 13, 2005, based on his combined service-connected disability rating of 80 percent from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of engaging in sedentary employment.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities alone are enough to render him unable to obtain and maintain any form of substantially gainful employment in accordance with his occupational background and education level, warranting a TDIU.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease with evidence of an old ACL tear, finding that no CUE was present in the January 1990 decision and that the Veteran's claim is not entitled to an earlier effective date.

The Board denied service connection for a knee disorder, hip disorder, and low back disorder in September 2005. The Veteran is contesting this decision on the grounds of CUE.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and bilateral knee disabilities, as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, did not begin during service or are otherwise related to service. The claim for chronic headaches secondary to PTSD is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance is denied because he does not have a service-connected disability that requires the use of a prosthetic or orthopedic appliance, nor one requiring medication for irreparable damage to his outer garments.