Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability has been rated as 20 percent disabling since April 4, 2007. The rating is for chondromalacia of the right patellofemoral joint (knee).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, chronic sinusitis, headaches, a right inguinal hernia, and hemorrhoids. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's left knee injury during service did not result in any current residuals or diagnosed condition, and the Board finds that her claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in the form of obtaining service treatment records, confirming active duty periods, and scheduling VA examinations for the Veteran's left shoulder and right knee. The appeal will be remanded to allow this development.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right and left knees have been granted initial ratings of 10% each, with no evidence of lateral instability or recurrent subluxation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient rationale in a medical opinion letter.

The Veteran's left knee disability was evaluated at 30 percent prior to February 11, 2004. The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for the period prior to January 6, 2004.

The Veteran's left knee, right knee, and right shoulder disorders were not shown to be related to service or any disability incurred therein. The Board found no continuity of symptoms since service separation.

The Veteran meets the percentage requirements for TDIU as he has a single service-connected disability rated at 40 percent or more (migraine headaches) and a combined rating of 70 percent or more. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, including his anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and subtotal medial meniscectomy, is a result of service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her left knee disability was granted, with the effective date being May 28, 2011. The current rating is now 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence to support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of any claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeals were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating or an initial compensable rating and a rating in excess of 30 percent from August 9, 2008 for coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the loss of or the loss of use of his hands, do not result in blindness, were not the result of burns, and were not the result of an inhalation injury. Therefore, he is not eligible for a special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's left knee instability and patellofemoral stress syndrome have been rated at 20 percent since July 16, 2003.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability caused or aggravated his claimed bilateral knee disability. The case is also being remanded for an opinion on whether any chronic knee disability was etiologically related to service by way of causation or aggravation.

The Veteran's right knee disability, with limitation of flexion and extension, is rated at 40 percent effective March 1, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have not met the criteria for increased disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the likely etiology of his current bilateral knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a dry eyes disorder. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right forefoot disorder, right knee disorder, and PTSD are remanded.