Knee decisions — 2003

The veteran's service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss has caused his tinnitus. The Board granted secondary service connection for the veteran's bilateral tinnitus.

The veteran's initial ratings for his right foot disability and degenerative joint disease of both knees have been denied. The RO assigned a 20% evaluation for the right foot disability, effective June 1, 1999.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for copies of service medical records and compliance with notification requirements.

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

The RO granted service connection for chondromalacia patella with degenerative changes of both knees and assigned a combined initial rating of 40 percent, effective May 16, 2001.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination and consideration of additional medical records.

The Board has deferred the decision on service connection for back, bilateral hip and right knee disabilities due to pending evidentiary development. The case is now remanded to the RO for additional evidence.

The veteran's claimed conditions were not found to be incurred or aggravated by service, including due to undiagnosed illness from Persian Gulf War service.

The veteran's right ankle fracture was not incurred in service and is not secondary to a service-connected disability. His right shoulder, knee, and hand disabilities do not warrant higher ratings.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for right knee disability or fungus of the feet, and denied both claims.

The VA Regional Office denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected right knee condition, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability, which was previously denied in January 1957. The additional evidence supports the veteran's claim that his current right knee disability is related to an inservice accident.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of her left ankle, knee, and mytoplasia and dysplasia conditions.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and left knee disability, finding that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy during his service and that there was no verifiable stressor supporting PTSD. The claim of a left knee disability is remanded for further development.

The VA has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of a right leg and knee injury or chronic fatigue syndrome that are related to his service. The Board finds no evidence supporting these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability and left knee injury are not related to his active service or any period of inactive duty training. The evidence does not support a finding that these disabilities were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee chondromalacia, finding that it was incurred during the veteran's period of active duty. The issues regarding left knee disorder and shoulder disorders are pending further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current residuals of a nasal fracture are incurred in service and grants this claim. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability will be addressed in the remand.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability and for service connection for an enlarged heart. The left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, with no evidence of limitation of motion or instability.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.