Knee decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a right knee disability. The appellant's current right knee disability is being evaluated further.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and lumbar spine disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The evidence does not establish a chronic disability during service, nor is there sufficient continuity of symptoms to support a claim for service connection.

The Veteran's periodontal disease was found to be service-connected and eligible for VA outpatient dental treatment.,A right knee disability was also found to be service-connected.

The Board has determined that reducing the disability ratings for chondromalacia of the right and left knees from 30 percent to 10 percent was proper, as evidenced by improved range of motion in both knees.

The Veteran's hypertension and obesity are not service-connected, but may be secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's overactive bladder is service-connected, while his right knee strain does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,PTSD has been rated based on its current severity since September 4, 2001.

The Board found that the Veteran's back, bilateral hip and bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The VA determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder is not attributable to his military service, particularly an injury sustained during Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, are not of such severity as to preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is currently rated at 50 percent since October 9, 2010. Prior to that date, the rating was 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability and a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year after service. The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's right knee partial medial meniscectomy with osteoarthritis and limitation of extension are currently rated at 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively. The Board finds that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's request for a hearing before the Board at the VA Central Office (CO) in Washington, DC was rescheduled to a Travel Board hearing at the local RO in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied, while his right knee arthritis with post-total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was granted a 60% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional service treatment records and a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for his chronic left knee disabilities is pending.

The Veteran's claim for various service connection issues was remanded, and the RO is now denying his claims for increased ratings. The evidence does not support a compensable rating for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disorder has been reopened and granted. His PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective August 8, 2006.

The Veteran's right knee, left wrist, and right wrist disabilities are not service-connected. The Board finds no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions.,Bilateral hearing loss was first noted many years after service and is not service-connected.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals regarding the initial evaluations for right knee and right shoulder degenerative joint disease. As a result, these claims are dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, left leg and knee disorders. The evidence submitted was not considered new and material to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's request for an increased evaluation for his right knee disability is granted.,A separate evaluation for the scar associated with his right knee disability is denied.,An evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD from October 13, 2007 is granted.,An evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD from June 12, 2008 is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for the Veteran's bleeding ulcer is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for sleep apnea with CPAP is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for psoriasis is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's heart disorder, presumed due to herbicide exposure, is granted.