Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and frostbite of the hands and feet were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for reopening of service connection for lung disorders, bilateral knee disorders, and skin disorders are being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing.

The case is being remanded due to incomplete VA medical records. The Veteran's claims for service connection and new and material evidence will be reconsidered after the additional records are obtained.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including an updated VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected patellofemoral syndrome of the bilateral knees and chronic lumbar sprain with minimal scoliosis.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for arthritis of major joints other than the knees is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on multiple conditions, including lumbar sprain and migraine headaches, was denied. The Veteran's lumbar sprain is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain any outstanding treatment records. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left knee disability, and there is no current evidence of asthma. However, new medical evidence supports the claim for reopening the service connection for asthma.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 30 percent disabling under Diagnostic Codes 5260 (limitation of flexion) and 5261 (limitation of extension). The RO has granted a separate rating for instability based on the Veteran's history of lateral instability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, fibromyalgia (to include as secondary to PTSD), and arthritis have been denied. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD from May 3, 2007 through April 18, 2011 has been granted. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD since April 19, 2011 and to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) from November 19, 2007 through April 18, 2011 have been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for skin, lumbar spine, bilateral ankle, and bilateral knee disabilities. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee bursitis is manifested by pain, range of motion from 0 to no less than 45 degrees, and with no subluxation and instability. The criteria for entitlement to a disability in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back, umbilical hernia and right knee disabilities are related to his in-service accident. The right hip disability is not established.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis has been remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and opinion regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities and prescribed medications on his employability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left eye cataract and right knee osteoarthritis with limitation of motion, finding no evidence to support service connection or an increase in disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left leg/knee disability is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a low back or right knee disability that was incurred in service, and the VA examinations did not establish a direct relationship between any current disabilities and military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The left knee disability was not rated in excess of 20 percent, the back disability prior to April 27, 2006 was rated at 10 percent, and after that date it did not warrant a higher rating. The foot disorders, scar from little finger laceration, and skin disability were all denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the ankles, knees, hands and elbows were denied as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied on all issues related to his service-connected conditions, including coronary artery disease and degenerative joint diseases of the right and left knees.