Knee decisions — 2013

The Veteran's hypermobility syndrome of the right knee is rated at 30 percent, effective August 7, 2012. The rating for chondromalacia of the right knee with degenerative changes remains at 10 percent and the rating for chondromalacia of the left knee with degenerative changes remains at 10 percent.

The Board found no evidence of a right leg disability or low back disability to include degenerative joint disease as incurred in service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims.

For the period beginning August 15, 2009, the Veteran's right knee disability has been manifested by painful motion with normal extension and flexion to at worst 95 degrees. The Board found that these symptoms did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current right knee and left shoulder disabilities and his military service, including any in-service injuries. The VA examiner found insufficient medical evidence to establish a relationship between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to a signed statement from his representative expressing the Veteran's desire to withdraw all issues on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for gouty arthritis of the right wrist, right shoulder, and bilateral knees. The Veteran's current gouty arthritis is directly related to his previously service-connected gouty arthritis of the feet and ankles.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from May 6, 2009 through May 8, 2009 at Maine Medical Center were approved due to the emergent nature of his condition and the unavailability of VA facilities that could have provided the necessary care.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board is reopening the claim for service connection of a low back disability and remanding other claims due to need for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a compensable rating for his right knee disability was denied as there is no evidence of a pending claim or new and material evidence within one year prior to the November 28, 2006 submission.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease status post bypass surgery associated with hypertension was granted an initial rating of 30 percent from February 18, 2004, to July 7, 2010, and a subsequent increased rating to 60 percent effective July 8, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed back injury, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The evidence shows that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a grant of benefits in any of the issues presented.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include fatigue, sleep apnea, and obesity. The Board granted service connection for bilateral ankle strain and bilateral patella tendonitis as proximately due to his service-connected obesity. Service connection was denied for a meniscus tear of the right knee, chronic pain of the wrists, hands, and fingers (including carpal tunnel syndrome), and hiccups and muscular twitching of the eyes as not related to active service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting left foot pes planus was not aggravated by service and did not have an increase in disability. The Board also determined that his current left ankle, knee, and hip disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to a disease or injury in service. The current right knee disorder was also not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected back disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to his service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability was not incurred in service and is not attributable directly to, or aggravated by, a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen several of his claims. The effective date for PTSD was not established due to a finding of no CUE.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including hypertension, skin condition, foot disability, ankle disability, knee disabilities, and leg disabilities. The VA will provide examinations and seek medical opinions regarding these claims.