Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is currently rated as noncompensable due to the lack of evidence showing limitation of motion that would warrant a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for a higher evaluation of his right knee sprain, and the claim to reopen his right wrist disability was also denied. The Board found that he did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, but the Board finds that neither condition warrants a higher rating based on current evidence of record.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left knee disorder and diabetes mellitus, type 2. The appeal is currently in remand status due to the need for additional development including obtaining Social Security records, VA outpatient records, and medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back, bilateral knee, and left shoulder disabilities are not related to his military service. The evidence shows multiple post-service injuries as the cause of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and issues with development of evidence. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being reviewed, as well as his claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee disorders are not related to service, as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease. The current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under VA laws.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic left knee disorder, to include as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability was denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for ingrown toe nails on both feet was denied. The VA examiner found no evidence of the condition being incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board finds that there is no evidence of a left knee disability or back strain related to service. The Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be causally connected to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, traumatic thoracolumbar spine contusion with residual degenerative disc disease with associated low back pain, and left knee with patella and anterior cruciate ligament strain, all of which represents a complete grant of the benefits sought on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as there was no claim for service connection for PTSD prior to October 6, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The left knee disability, right knee arthritis, and lumbosacral strain with spondylosis at L5-S1 are not rated higher than the current 20 percent, 10 percent, and 20 percent respectively.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis was previously denied in a February 1999 rating decision. The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim.,The Veteran contends that his current sinusitis is related to his service-connected sleep apnea, which he claims began after surgery in 1993. He also asserts that his left knee disability and right and left ankle disabilities are due to physical stress from his duties on the flight deck.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder bursitis and entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left upper extremity carpel tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, left knee shell fragment wound residuals, tinnitus, degenerative changes of the left knee, and varicosities of the left leg, render him unemployable. The Board has determined that his service-connected disabilities alone preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability and an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for left ankle fracture with traumatic arthritis since October 30, 2010. The appeal is dismissed as there was no evidence to support reopening or changing the rating assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability began in service and has continued since, granting service connection for this condition.

The VA has granted a separate compensable evaluation of 10 percent for the right knee surgical scar, residual of a meniscectomy. The previous rating decision from March 1960 did not include this condition in the compensation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to his military service or caused by his service-connected right ankle sprain, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.