Knee decisions — 2011

The Board denied all issues on appeal, including entitlement to increased ratings for the dry eye syndrome and service connection claims for various shoulder, knee, and back disorders. The denial of new and material evidence in reopening left and right shoulder disorder claims was also upheld.

The Board denied service connection for right hip and right knee degenerative arthritis as they are not related to the Veteran's service-connected thoracic spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left and right knee disorders are not linked to his active duty service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has granted the appellant's claims for service connection for left shoulder bursitis and rotator cuff disease, as well as left insertional Achilles tendonopathy. The right shoulder disorder claim is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition. The left lower extremity disorder claim is referred to the RO for further adjudication.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including right knee disability, left knee disability, back disability, left elbow disability, right hand disability, and left hand disability, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing right knee disability was not aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations and did not provide a credible explanation. The claim for an increased rating for back disability was denied as there is no evidence of hospitalization or exceptional/unusual circumstances, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected unilateral left ear hearing loss and right knee disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for the left ear hearing loss or a rating in excess of 30 percent since November 1, 2009 for the right knee disability.

The Board denied the appellant's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and determined that he failed to report for VA examinations. The right knee chondromalacia was rated at 10 percent, but the TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his right knee disability and for consideration of an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the current level of impairment of the Veteran's right knee disability and whether his left eye cataract is related to service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a left eye cataract and an initial rating for right knee laxity are being remanded.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, left knee disability, right hip disability, hemorrhoids, hepatitis C, and hypertension, cannot be granted as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's endocarditis is presumed to have been incurred in service, and he was granted service connection for this condition. The issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome remains pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the bilateral knees. The underlying de novo claim will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left total knee replacement is aggravated by his service-connected gunshot wound residuals of the left leg, and thus grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied reopening of service connection for a right foot disorder and denied an increased rating for left knee injury. The Veteran's current claims were not supported by new and material evidence.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for PTSD, fatigue, generalized muscle/joint pain, gastrointestinal problems, an alcohol problem, and TDIU. The reduction of the disability rating for chondromalacia of the patellofemoral joint of the left knee from 20 percent to 10 percent was found proper.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a cold weather injury and right knee disability. The case will be remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.