Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine and right knee were denied. The Veteran was awarded a separate evaluation of 20 percent for lateral instability and moderate recurrent subluxation related to his right knee disorder, effective from August 20, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as his combined disability rating is 80 percent, which does not meet the required percentage threshold. The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent for arthritis and slight instability, while the left knee disabilities are rated based on their respective conditions.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as there is no evidence of additional disabling symptomatology that would warrant separate evaluations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, cardiovascular disability, and residuals of a head injury due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,There were no in-service injuries or diagnoses related to these conditions. The post-service medical records did not show any chronic symptoms until many years after service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension on account of the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the issues of service connection and increased evaluations related to hiatal hernia, dental condition, hypertension, heart murmur, low back injury, irritable bowel syndrome, bilateral pes planus, left knee chondromalacia with degenerative joint disease, and right knee chondromalacia with degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of his left knee disability, and the Board has dismissed this matter.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence received after the March 2009 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, an increased rating for his right knee disability, and an increased rating for his lumbar para vertebral myositis with L5 radiculopathy. The decision found that the Veteran's left knee disorder did not have its onset during service or be related to his service-connected disabilities. For his right knee and back disabilities, the Board determined that a 40 percent rating was warranted based on the chronic orthopedic manifestations of IVDS and separate 10 percent evaluations for the chronic neurologic manifestations in both lower extremities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the right knee and degenerative changes of the lumbo-sacral spine have been granted.

PTSD rated at 30 percent prior to January 13, 2009 and increased to 50 percent effective January 13, 2009.,Left ankle injury with arthritis rated at 10 percent prior to January 13, 2009 and increased to 20 percent effective January 13, 2009.,Right knee injury rated at 10 percent prior to July 28, 2006 and increased to 30 percent from July 28, 2006 to January 13, 2009. Since then, the rating is 20 percent.,PTSD granted effective August 9, 2005; left ankle injury with arthritis rated at 10 percent prior to July 28, 2006 and increased to 20 percent from July 28, 2006 to January 13, 2009. Right knee injury rated at 10 percent prior to July 28, 2006 and increased to 30 percent from July 28, 2006 to January 13, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fevers, chilly feelings, dyssomnia, aching joints, and a skin condition have been denied as there is no objective evidence of these conditions during or after service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues include seeking increased ratings and service connection for various conditions secondary to his right knee disability.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic left knee disability related to service, and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for her left knee disability is granted. The lower back disability is also service connected, but the right knee and hip disabilities are not.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for arthritis of the right and left knees, as well as his claim for service connection for a left elbow disability, were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of additional limitation of motion due to functional factors or pain on use.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the medical evidence does not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for facial skin condition, chronic ulcer disease (Duodenal Ulcer), and degenerative joint disease of the right knee were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding his claims for service connection for various conditions.