Knee decisions — 2003

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected right knee disability was denied because he failed to report for the required VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to an inservice stressor, and arthritis of both knees is also service-connected based on a link between current symptoms and in-service exposure. The effective date for these determinations is not specified.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected low back, right knee injury residuals, and right knee traumatic arthritis due to additional reasons and bases required with regard to pain symptoms and weakness.

The Board has determined that the veteran's osteoarthritis, including of the left ankle and lumbosacral spine, hips, and knees, was incurred in active service. The RO previously denied these claims due to lack of evidence linking them to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for degenerative joint disease, left knee, secondary to his service-connected residuals is granted.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the current bilateral knee, ankle, and right foot disorders and service. The psychiatric disorder was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability is not related to his service-connected left knee condition and thus, he does not meet the criteria for secondary service connection.

The Board has granted increased evaluations for the veteran's left and right knee disabilities, effective from various dates. An earlier effective date of December 4, 1997, was also granted for a separate evaluation of arthritis of the left knee.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection, finding no current disabilities or evidence of in-service injuries that would support these claims.

The case is being remanded to ensure full and complete compliance with the enhanced duty-to-notify and duty-to-assist provisions of the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000. The appellant's claims for an increased rating for a right knee disability and earlier effective date are pending.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the veteran's current condition is not related to his active service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to the veteran's death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that they were not related to military service or could be attributed to other causes.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a chronic right knee disability and no left knee disorder was shown to be related to service. The low back disorder was also not linked to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for back, shoulder, and leg/knee disabilities. With resolution of reasonable doubt, it is at least as likely as not that appellant's bilateral defective hearing was incurred during service.

The veteran's right knee conditions have been evaluated based on their current manifestations, with the most recent evaluation being a 30 percent rating for residuals of total right knee replacement effective December 1, 2000.

The veteran is seeking increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral pes planus with degenerative joint disease and hammertoes, as well as left knee injury. The Board has determined that VA examinations are required to properly evaluate these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability and determine if any left knee disorders are related to his service-connected right knee condition.