Knee decisions — 2004

The Board has granted service connection for DJD of the cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, right knee, left knee, and recurrent pulmonary emboli as secondary to service-connected melioidosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right knee disability, diagnosed as anterior cruciate ligament tear and osteochondral defect, was incurred during service. The left knee disorder is not related to a disease or injury in service.

The veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected right knee disability, currently rated at 10 percent. The RO has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for restoration of a higher evaluation for his right knee and service connection for left knee and low back disorders, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities or a relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of the service-connected conditions. The veteran's claims will be readjudicated based on the new evidence and regulations.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, a low disability (likely referring to low back disability), hearing loss, lung disease (including asthma), urethral stricture, migraine headaches, arthritis of the left shoulder, bilateral knee disorder, and sinusitis. The denial is final as it was made in August 2001.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's right ankle disability as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The veteran also claims special monthly compensation and adaptive equipment, which are pending.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a current disability or link to service, respectively. Service connection was also denied for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine as there was no evidence of aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no evidence to support the presence of these conditions during his active military service.

The Board found that an earlier effective date for the awards of compensable disability ratings for the veteran's service-connected left knee and left shoulder disabilities could not be assigned within the bounds of governing law and regulation.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection of prostate cancer, skin conditions, and granuloma of the right lung due to asbestos exposure. The bilateral knee disability was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right retropatella pain syndrome is associated with her period of active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of a connection between the veteran's right below the knee amputation and his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the evidence submitted by the veteran did not constitute new and material evidence to reopen his claim for service connection for a right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder. The VA examiner concluded it is likely that the left knee condition was brought on by episodes of activity such as parachute jumping during service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral knee and low back conditions, but the case has been remanded due to incomplete examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the complexity of the issue and the need for additional medical development, including a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bilateral knee disorders with scarring, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development including examinations.