Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for service connection were previously denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability related to military service. New and material evidence has not been submitted, so the claims are not reopened.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee patellofemoral syndrome with synovitis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that she does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on her symptoms of pain, swelling, weakness, occasional locking, and limited motion. She also has slight instability of the left knee which warrants an additional 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development of his knee disabilities and TDIU issue.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the left knee is found to be aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.,Service connection for right wrist degenerative joint disease and a right arm disability, radial nerve laceration are granted with initial noncompensable ratings.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability did not have its onset in service, was not shown to be related to his military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder and sleep disorder, finding no evidence of a current disability or chronic symptoms related to these conditions that can be linked to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to her active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for gouty arthritis of the back, toes, fingers, knees, shoulders, and ankles was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for instability of the right knee and traumatic arthritis have been denied as there is no evidence showing moderate or severe lateral instability, flexion limited to 45 degrees, or extension limited to 20 degrees during the relevant periods.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain missing service treatment records and to provide the Veteran with a VA examination for his cervical spine and left knee disabilities. The claims are being remanded to allow for these actions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU rating was denied as there is no evidence that he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to January 13, 2005.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and initial evaluations of various knee and eye disabilities to the RO for further development. The Veteran's right eye pterygium is currently rated as noncompensable, while his left shoulder impingement syndrome and patellofemoral syndromes in both knees are each rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his medical evidence, including a VA examiner's opinion on whether his service-connected right knee disability has aggravated his low back, left knee, and left hip disorders.

The Board has granted a 20% evaluation for post-operative lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease from August 5, 2008 through November 23, 2010. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to increased evaluations for her left proximal tibial avulsion residuals is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and left ankle disabilities did not have their onset in service, were not otherwise etiologically related to her service, and therefore denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension was not found to warrant a higher rating, and service connection for various conditions including low back disorder, knee disorders, foot disorders, shoulder disorders, diabetes mellitus, insomnia, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD), and fatigue were denied.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that his extension and flexion did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's early patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee was incurred in or aggravated by active service.