Knee decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disorder and service connection for a mental disorder secondary to his right knee disability were both denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a left leg disability and residuals of a right leg injury, to include a right knee disability. The Veteran's current left leg and right knee disabilities are related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle and knee disabilities had their onset during service, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran. The claim for deep vein thrombosis is not supported by the evidence provided.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims for service connection can be decided.

The Veteran has scars on the right forearm, right foot and right knee that are residuals of shell fragment wounds sustained during active service. Service connection is granted for these scars.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to have been incurred during active duty service. The issues of bilateral knee disability, residuals of head trauma, and headaches are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee collateral laxity and arthritis were incurred during active service, and thus granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral knee disabilities and whether he is unable to secure or maintain gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the appellant's left knee disability preexisted his period of active service and was not aggravated therein, thus denying service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to failure to explain how the duty to assist was satisfied.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine arthritis, right hip degenerative joint disease, and right knee conditions as they are not related to the service-connected right calf laceration.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee and back disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, as of June 20, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee and hip conditions were denied. The RO assigned various disability evaluations based on the severity of his disabilities, but did not grant any higher ratings than those already in effect.

The Board denied service connection for a right eye disability, low back disability, and did not grant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be unrelated to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during active service, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to July 22, 2009 and increased to 20 percent after that date.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting left knee and ankle disabilities were not aggravated by service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied service connection for these conditions. The initial rating of 10% for bilateral plantar fasciitis was granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition. The heart disability issue is referred to the AOJ for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for residuals of a right knee injury, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including post-arthroscopy and meniscectomy with chondromalacia, has been rated at 10 percent since October 2006. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the flexion is limited to no less than 135 degrees.