Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for myofascial pain syndrome of the right face was denied. The claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection was also denied for neuromuscular transmission defect, bursitis, spurs in both knees, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left knee disability and obtaining all outstanding VA treatment records from Tuskegee VAMC.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and instability, is rated at 20% since March 2008. A temporary total rating for convalescence from August 3, 2007 to May 12, 2008 was granted. The issue of service connection for disorders of the spine remains unresolved as it does not pertain to the right knee disability. Competency for VA benefits is determined to be incompetent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no current disability or evidence of a chronic condition in all cases.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar degenerative disc disease and a separate compensable rating for left knee arthritis with painful motion are also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as there is no evidence of any prior unadjudicated claims or factually ascertainable entitlement to TDIU prior to October 20, 2004.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease, left hand trigger fingers, right hand trigger fingers, left foot plantar fasciitis with heel spur and mid foot degenerative changes, and right foot plantar fasciitis with heel spur and mid foot degenerative changes have been denied.

The Board found no credible evidence of the Veteran's claimed conditions and denied all service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased disability ratings have been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing his appeals.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for tinea pedis and onychomycosis, status post total matrixectomies, bilateral feet was granted.,Service connection for hypertension, to include due to Agent Orange exposure, chronic headaches, and sinusitis were all denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for postoperative residuals of ACL reconstruction of the left knee and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee were denied as his conditions did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed disabilities are not related to his active service, and thus denied all of his claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's conduct and cooperation were not satisfactory, leading to the discontinuance of his vocational rehabilitation benefits.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders as there is no evidence of current disabilities. The claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was also denied due to the Veteran's failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including as secondary to a service-connected fracture of the left tibial plateau.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an examination to determine if any current right knee disability is related to service. The Veteran's active service included a complaint of right knee pain.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability has been manifested by X-ray confirmed arthritis; ankylosis, instability/subluxation, and/or compensable limitations of flexion or extension are not shown. Therefore, a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right and left knee disorders, as well as their relationship to service.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and the claim for higher rating for muscle contraction headaches. The Veteran's left knee condition was not shown to have had onset during service, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology after service. The VA examiner opined that the current degenerative joint disease is less likely related to the in-service bursitis.