Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right and left knee limitations, tinnitus, sinusitis, degenerative joint disease, hearing loss, and malaria, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to service or a service-connected condition, and his left ankle disability did not worsen during service. Therefore, both conditions are denied.

The Board determined that the Veteran's claimed left knee and left ankle disorders were not incurred during active duty service, nor are they related to an injury or illness incurred by the Veteran during his active duty service. As such, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left ankle fracture and postoperative residuals of synovitis of the right knee, finding that there was no demonstration of marked limitation of motion in either condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee arthralgia, right shoulder myofascitis, and mid-thoracic and lumbar back spasms due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent, with a separate 10 percent rating for instability. The gunshot wound residuals are also considered in the evaluation.

The VA determined that the appellant's left knee degenerative joint disease did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation since November 2, 2002.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disorder is not related to service, attributing it instead to his history of tobacco use. The left knee disorder was also not linked to service connection as it was more likely due to a work-related injury and not related to his right knee disability.

The VA determined that the Veteran's left knee cartilage injury with degenerative arthritis does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, which is secondary to his service-connected left ankle with traumatic arthritis, has been remanded due to the need for additional development and an adequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for retropatellar pain syndrome of the right and left knees were denied as his disability did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence showing a current diagnosis or persistent/recurrent symptoms of hearing loss. The other claims were not addressed in the decision.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to missing personnel records and inconsistencies in the Veteran's statements regarding his service and current condition. The claim for service connection for a right knee disability is now pending.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic bilateral knee disorder in service or for many years thereafter, and the appellant's assertions regarding continuity of symptomatology were deemed not credible. Therefore, service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee scar, arthritis of the pelvic bones, and shin splints were denied. The Board found that there was no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee, right knee, and left ankle disabilities are related to his active service. The appeal is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to higher evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder arthritis and right knee pain do not warrant a disability rating higher than 10 percent, as there is no evidence of limitation of motion or other disabling pathology beyond what is contemplated by the current 10 percent ratings.