Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's left knee disability, post-operative residuals of chondromalacia, has not resulted in any compensable limitation of motion since February 14, 2009.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and bilateral knee disorder, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease linking these conditions to her active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are currently rated as 10% disabling, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability was not caused or aggravated by his in-service 1969 right knee injury and therefore denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have a combined rating of 80 percent and preclude substantially gainful employment, allowing for the grant of TDIU.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent evaluation for left knee degenerative joint disease, limitation of extension. The evaluation for limitation of flexion remains at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis of the bilateral knees and hips did not manifest within one year after service, is not related to any aspect of service or secondary to a service-connected left ankle fracture, and therefore denied both claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep disorder, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The decision found that a sleep disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to any service-connected condition. For the knee disabilities, there were no service treatment records indicating such conditions during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disorder is not connected to his military service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right foot disability.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for gunshot wound multiple left forearm penetrating with foreign bodies was denied. His separate compensable disability rating for gunshot wound scars of the left forearm was granted, and his claim to reopen a service connection for left knee disability was reopened.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is found to be service-connected. The right wrist, forearm, and knee disabilities are not addressed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal for these issues.

The Veteran's anterior left knee discomfort with a lateral tilt of the patella is due to disease or injury that was incurred in active service.,Likely as not, the Veteran has hypertension that had its clinical onset during service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss must be denied by law.

The Veteran's right knee disability was initially granted a 10 percent rating effective November 1, 2004. The decision is based on the evidence of record at that time.

The Veteran's service-connected SP left knee surgery with posttraumatic arthritis is rated as noncompensably disabling. The Board finds that a compensable evaluation is warranted for this disability throughout the claims period based on painful noncompensable limitation of motion under Diagnostic Code 5003.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for clarification of her secondary service connection claim and additional examination.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a right knee condition due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is denied as there is no evidence that the Veteran's preexisting right knee condition was aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is granted service connection, with the Board finding that it was incurred during his active duty. The bilateral foot disorder claim remains pending as there are no findings on this issue in the decision.