Knee decisions — 2010

The Board has granted service connection for hemorrhoids as secondary to service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The remaining claims are pending further development and adjudication.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The Board denied reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral knee disability, and lumbar spine disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected eczematous rash with lichenification, bilateral lower legs is rated at 10 percent. The residual scars of the right eyebrow are not disfiguring and thus do not warrant a higher rating. Bilateral hearing loss does not meet criteria for compensable evaluation. The status post right tenth rib fracture has been granted a 10 percent rating effective March 1, 2006. The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent. Headaches have been assigned a 30 percent rating as of July 9, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disability and scars were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on limitation of motion, instability, or pain.

The Veteran's low back disability and associated radiculopathy are rated at 20 percent since July 23, 2009. The prostate cancer residuals are rated at 60 percent effective from the date of service connection (November 1991). The left knee patella pain syndrome is rated as noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disability. The claim is also intertwined with a pending service connection claim for a bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all seven issues, including service connection claims and initial compensable ratings.

The Board denied an increased rating for the right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms do not warrant a higher than 20 percent rating based on limitation of motion and instability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and a right knee disorder as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder was first manifest in service and is not due to his own willful misconduct, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder as secondary to his service-connected left knee lateral instability with degenerative changes, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking the current right knee osteoarthritis to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right and left total knee replacement residuals, as well as his right and left trochanteric bursitis, have been denied by the Board.

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection for a right eye disability and a left knee disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability is causally related to an injury sustained during his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient evidence on whether any current arthritis or degenerative joint disease of the Veteran's shoulders, elbows, hands, knees, and ankles is proximately due to, caused by, or aggravated by service-connected low back strain.

The Board found that the appellant's current bilateral knee disability was not incurred or aggravated by his active service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee medial meniscus tear and degenerative joint disease, left foot metatarsalgia and third metatarsal head disorder, cervical spine spondylosis, and lumbar spine spondylosis are all related to service. The decision is based on a review of the Veteran's medical history and examination findings.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination of the Veteran's lumbar spine and right knee disabilities.