Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right knee is not productive of a disability picture that warrants a rating in excess of 10 percent. The Board finds no evidence of subluxation or lateral instability, and range of motion was full without additional limitation due to pain, weakness, fatigue, etc. Sinusitis has not been diagnosed.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back, bilateral knee, and left shoulder disorders. The pre-service and post-service medical records do not show any link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, postoperative residuals of a total knee replacement, warrants a rating of 30 percent since May 1, 2007. The disability is currently manifested by some functional impairment but does not meet the criteria for higher ratings due to severe painful motion or weakness.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left knee disability is granted as the Board finds that his current diagnosis of patellofemoral pain syndrome originated during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as a VA joints examination to evaluate the Veteran's left knee disability. The appeal is now pending with the RO.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent, and his residuals of acute renal failure do not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for multi-level degenerative disc disease with arthritis of the lumbar spine, left knee arthritis, chronic left ankle strain, and left L5 radiculopathy affecting the left leg. The lung disability claim is deferred pending completion of development.

The Veteran's current left knee disorder was not incurred or aggravated during his military service and is not proximately due to, the result of, or chronically aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left breast scar, right palmar scar, and right knee condition were denied. The denial was based on the lack of evidence showing a current diagnosis or symptoms related to these conditions.

The veteran's service connection for postoperative left shoulder bursitis and tendinopathy was granted, with a 10 percent evaluation initially assigned in October 2007. The evaluation was increased to 20 percent effective February 22, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD aggravated his congestive heart failure, which caused his death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of death is granted. The claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is also granted.

The Veteran's arthritis of the left knee, post-arthroplasty, has been manifested by left knee pain with limitation of motion but not severe painful motion or weakness in the left lower extremity. Therefore, an evaluation in excess of 30 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for DJD of the right and left knees. As a result, these claims remain denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether his current right foot and knee disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 20% prior to November 10, 2004 and increased to 40% thereafter. From September 10, 2008, the Veteran is now rated at 30% for instability of his right knee. The left knee disability remains at 20%. For hip strain, a compensable rating was granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome, and an increased disability rating for lumbar spine osteoarthritis. The evidence received since the October 1997 final decision was not new or material to reopen the claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee strains have been rated at 10 percent each, effective April 10, 2004.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess the current level of disability in his right shoulder and knee. The issues include seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected right shoulder condition and determining whether his arthritis of the right knee is related to service or service-connected synovitis.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right wrist disorders, left knee disorder, and sinusitis/pharyngitis. Service connection was denied for allergies, fatigue, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and bilateral pes planus.