Knee Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder did not cause or aggravate his erectile dysfunction, GERD, left knee disability, right knee degenerative joint disease, back disability, or skin disability. The claims were denied as there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's period of active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not related to a service-connected condition. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of all relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for his right femur disability and scar was denied. The RO assigned a 30 percent rating for the fracture right femur with right knee degenerative joint disease effective June 29, 2010.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of multiple joints as secondary to his service-connected sarcoidosis. However, it has granted a new and material evidence finding for the direct service connection issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diverticulitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), left knee disorder, and right foot disorder were denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of the claimed conditions or evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee instability and chronic lumbar strain with degenerative changes, L1-L5, are not shown to warrant a higher initial rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for patellofemoral pain syndrome in each knee and bilateral shin splints, including as secondary to service-connected Achilles tendonitis. However, it did not grant these claims or assign disability ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of the assigned noncompensable ratings for most conditions, except for a 20 percent evaluation for left shoulder impingement status post surgery.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, rectal incontinence associated with scleroderma, calcinosis of the fingers associated with scleroderma with Raynaud's phenomenon, limitation of motion of left ankle due to scleroderma with Raynaud's phenomenon, left carpal tunnel syndrome (nondominant extremity) due to scleroderma with Raynaud's phenomenon, right knee synovitis, status post arthroscopy, flatfoot with left foot pain due to scleroderma with Raynaud's phenomenon, flatfoot with right foot pain due to scleroderma with Raynaud's phenomenon, hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and right carpal tunnel syndrome (dominant extremity) due to scleroderma with Raynaud's phenomenon, are of such severity as to preclude her from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition related to her active duty. The claims for left knee, fractured left tibia residuals, and metatarsal disabilities are also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee chondromalacia and arthritis, as well as erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's right knee disability is considered to be a direct result of injuries sustained during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and scheduling an orthopedic examination to address the relationship between his service-connected lumbar strain and any current right knee and hip disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a rating in excess of 30 percent is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed right, left knee disabilities and low back disability are not related to his military service. The claim for residuals of a left ankle fracture is denied as well. Service connection for hepatitis C cannot be established.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent effective December 18, 2009. His right knee instability is currently rated at 10 percent effective August 14, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings has been granted. He is now rated 40 percent disabled for complications from surgical damage to muscle group XIV of the right thigh, with a separate noncompensable rating for muscle group XVI and a compensable evaluation (10%) for a tender scar on his right thigh.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is granted based on credible assertions and documented medical history. The Board also notes that higher ratings are available for the lumbosacral sprain with referred pain to the left hip but does not grant increased ratings as no new evidence has been presented.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim for service connection for a right knee disability. The appeal is denied.