Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and depression have been denied as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that any current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for left knee instability and osteoarthritis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not demonstrate severe recurrent subluxation or lateral instability of the left knee prior to April 17, 2010, nor did it show flexion limited to 30 degrees or extension limited to 15 degrees at any time from April 17, 2010. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied as there was no evidence showing he is precluded from substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psoriatic arthritis, left knee, status post total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his Social Security Administration records.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for the residuals of a laceration of the left thumb, finding that new and material evidence had been received to reopen service connection for both left elbow epicondylitis and postoperative residuals of right elbow epicondylitis. The Veteran's bilateral elbow disabilities are found to be related to his service-connected left thumb disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical records and needs further examination to determine if a left knee disorder is caused or aggravated by service-connected right knee joint issues.

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection of a left knee disorder. The Veteran's head injury, including scar and headaches, was not determined to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted, with the effective date of each rating being July 13, 2009. The initial compensable ratings are assigned for Raynaud's syndrome, varicose veins of the left and right lower extremities, right elbow arthritis, bilateral knee chondromalacia, and calcified tendinosis of the hands.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder is not related to his service, and denied both his claim for service connection for a left knee disorder and his request for an increased rating for his right knee disability.

The VA has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities do not warrant initial ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of high uric acid or kidney stones, and his gout is not service-connected. The Board also found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disabilities and lumbar spine disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's non-ischemic heart disease, bilateral knee and hip arthritis, bilateral shoulder arthritis, and lumbosacral spine arthritis are not related to his active service or presumed in-service herbicide exposure. As a result, these claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including knee and back conditions, hemorrhoids, and allergic rhinitis. The case is being remanded for further development to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected left arm condition is not productive of limitation of motion to midway between the side and shoulder level or at the shoulder level, even taking into account repetitive motion testing and his complaints of pain.,The Veteran's service-connected left knee condition is not productive of flexion limited to 45 degrees or less nor extension limited to 10 degrees or more, even taking into account repetitive motion testing and his complaints of pain. The Veteran's left knee instability is only slight.,The Veteran's service-connected right knee condition does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as it is productive of no more than slight instability.,The Veteran's service-connected CAD is not productive of a workload of greater than 5 METs but not greater than 7 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation on electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, or X-ray.,The Veteran's service-connected left carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome with ulnar neuropathy is productive of no more than moderate incomplete paralysis of the ulnar nerve.,The Veteran's service-connected right carpal tunnel syndrome does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as it is only mild incomplete paralysis of the median nerve.,The Veteran's service-connected arthritis of the right hand does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as there are no more than noncompensable limitations in range of motion of the right wrist and each finger on the right hand, with no evidence of incapacitating exacerbations.,The Veteran's service-connected GERD is not productive of diastolic pressure predominantly less than 100 or systolic pressure predominantly less than 160.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have a combined effect on his lower extremities so as to effectively preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. As such, he is entitled to assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar disk syndrome and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The issue of service connection for a bilateral knee disability remains on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including left knee and left ankle disabilities, low back disability, lung disorder as a result of asbestos exposure, left hip disability, and residuals of a fracture of the nose. The decision found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and hospitalization records related to a right knee injury in Germany. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for his right knee disorder will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for a right lung disorder manifested by lesions/granulomas, and denied for the other conditions listed. The Veteran's claims are supported by medical evidence of record.

The Board denied service connection for right knee synovitis and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability or chronic symptomatology since service. The Board also found no evidence of in-service noise exposure leading to tinnitus.

The Veteran's loss of use of both lower extremities due to his service-connected injuries has been established, rendering moot his claim for a special home adaptation grant.