Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a right knee disability. The original denials remain final.

The veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for internal derangement of the left knee is being remanded due to inadequate examination and failure to address pain or functional loss.

The Board finds that the veteran's claimed left knee disability, headaches, bilateral ankle disability, TMJ, and bilateral hearing loss are not related to his active duty service. The evidence does not show any chronic disabilities for these conditions during or within one year following service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder secondary to his right knee disability and also denied an increased rating for his postoperative residuals of meniscectomy of the right knee. The decision is final as it was not appealed.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claims of service connection for bipolar disorder, sleep apnea, fractures and degenerative changes of the hips, knees, feet and arms, and fractures and degenerative changes of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine and a venous insufficiency. The claims were previously denied in July 1993 but reopened due to new evidence submitted by the appellant.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee injury residuals, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for such an increase.

The Board denied service connection for glaucoma and arthritis of the knees. The decision on arthritis was based on a valid claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) not being presented, while the glaucoma claim was denied due to lack of evidence linking current condition to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected chondromalacia, right knee, does not warrant a compensable evaluation. The claim for an increased rating for arthritis and limited motion of the left knee is also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any service-connected conditions.,There is no evidence of a current disability for renal cancer, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or knee disorder. The low back disorder was diagnosed many years after service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining information about stressors and verifying diagnoses of PTSD.

The veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded to the RO for additional development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee condition, characterized by limited extension and flexion, does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board found that the veteran's degenerative changes (arthritis) of the lumbosacral spine and arthritis of major joints, to include knees, shoulders, and wrists, were not incurred as a result of an incident of active service nor as a result of a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted a combined rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, combining a 20 percent rating for instability under Code 5257 and a 10 percent rating for arthritis with painful motion under Codes 5010, 5003.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience, thus denying the claim for a total evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for right above the knee amputation, finding no evidence of a diagnosed condition or that VA care caused the injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected hypertension, bilateral pes planus, hallux valgus with bunion (right foot), and chondromalacia patella of both knees. The veteran was not granted any new disability ratings or service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his bilateral knee strain is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right knee and consideration of extraschedular evaluation due to employment impact.