Knee decisions — 2010

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective May 15, 2007. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, but the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee degenerative joint disease and hemorrhoids were denied. The initial rating of 10 percent for right knee disability was not granted, and the claim for an initial staged rating in excess of 10 percent for hemorrhoids from November 1, 2006 was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board found no evidence that any current disabilities of the Veteran's knees or hips are related to service, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee replacement was denied. The evidence did not show that the condition met the criteria for a higher rating, as it did not demonstrate severe painful motion or weakness in the affected extremity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, hip, and foot disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cyst on his right knee is being remanded due to the need for an examination and proper medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The effective date of the 10% rating for low back pain was also denied.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking any of the claimed disabilities to service, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a change in hearing officer and the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as his claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities, were denied by the RO. The RO assigned separate disability ratings for each knee condition and granted a maximum schedular evaluation based on instability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for her claimed low back disorder, left knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and PTSD), stomach disorder, and respiratory disorder. The evidence did not establish a current disability or link to service.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis was denied. The effective date of the deconstructed ratings remains March 31, 2007.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a right knee injury is granted as the condition was incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active military service and have denied all of his claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee, left knee, right hip, pulmonary disorder, cardiovascular disorder, and bilateral hearing loss were denied as there is no evidence of a chronic onset during active duty or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is found to be at least as likely as not due to his service-connected right knee disability. For the period from April 28, 2006, to April 8, 2008, the Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent disabling. Since April 8, 2008, it has been rated at 20 percent disabling.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain and degenerative joint disease of the left knee, as well as his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not establish new and material evidence to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the granting of additional compensation based on adding his spouse to his VA compensation award was denied as it is not within the scope of the applicable laws and regulations.