Knee decisions — 2010

The Veteran's iridodialysis of the right eye with glaucomatous changes is found to be service-connected. Headaches, bilateral foot pain (plantar fasciitis), and testicular pain are also found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is found to be related to his in-service injury, and service connection for this condition is granted. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20%.

The Veteran's service-connected patellofemoral syndrome (PFS) of the left knee is currently evaluated as non-compensable due to normal range of motion and lack of objective findings supporting additional limitation.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee and left flat foot disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a meniscal tear, residual of a right knee sprain was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5299-5257.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, finding that the evidence did not show flexion or extension limited to 30 degrees or 15 degrees at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain private treatment records from Dr. Keith Roland and then to readjudicate the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disability and a skin rash.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected knee disabilities and determined that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen her claim for service connection for a stomach disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral bunions were first manifested during active duty service and are granted service connection. The low back disability, osteoporosis, and left knee disability claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to assess his ability to obtain substantially gainful employment given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic lumbar strain and a separate evaluation for arthritis of the right knee were granted. However, his claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for postoperative residuals of a right knee meniscectomy was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his back disorder and left knee disorder are related to service, as well as to obtain updated medical records and a comprehensive examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability, finding that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim but not sufficient to establish service connection.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar DDD and facet disease, as well as an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for postoperative residuals of a left knee anterior cruciate ligament repair. The Veteran's right knee disorder was not found to be related to service.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability and denied his claim of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional low back disability resulting from VA outpatient care on July 2, 1980.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC for further development and consideration of his claims. The issues of an increased rating higher than 40 percent for the service-connected low back disability and a TDIU rating are deferred until after completion of the necessary actions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the wrists, knees, and cervical spine are being remanded due to incomplete records and potential need for additional examination. The case will be reconsidered with both direct and secondary theories of entitlement.

The Board has determined that the grant of service connection for a left ankle/foot disability was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and thus restoration of service connection is warranted. The claim of service connection for a left knee disability remains pending.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right leg disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinion and possibly missing service treatment records.

The Board denied the appellant's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been received.,The Board also denied the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C, concluding that there was insufficient evidence linking the condition to active duty service.