Knee decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability, which was pre-existing and aggravated by service, warrants service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to determine if his right knee and back disabilities were caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board found that an earlier effective date for the evaluations assigned for the veteran's service-connected left knee and left foot disabilities is not warranted, as there was no evidence of a claim prior to January 6, 2000.

The Board has granted service connection for disorders of the knees effective February 14, 2003. The veteran's claim was reopened and new evidence received after a final denial in December 1999.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current disability levels.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee disorder and degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 are related to service, leading to a grant of service connection for these conditions. The claim for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 is also granted.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, tremors of either hands, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have right knee arthritis, residuals of a right hand contusion, or residuals of a left middle finger sprain. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for calluses of the feet and service connection for a right knee disorder claimed as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence supporting the claim that the right knee disorder is related to any service-connected condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and left knee disorders, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims. The Board also found no nexus between the current conditions and service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a serious employment handicap, and thus his request to extend his period of eligibility for vocational rehabilitation training was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disorders, hearing loss, tinnitus, and otitis media. The evaluation for labyrinthine disorder was also denied.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected residuals of shell fragment wounds to his left leg and right knee, as well as bilateral pes planus. The current ratings are 20% each for the left leg and right knee conditions, and a 10% rating for bilateral pes planus.

The veteran is granted special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his multiple service-connected disabilities, including degenerative joint disease of various joints and arrhythmia. He does not meet criteria for housebound status.

The veteran seeks service connection for a right knee disorder, which he claims was caused by an injury during service. The case is being remanded to the RO for further development and examination.

The veteran's right knee medial meniscus tear was not incurred in service and is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability. The veteran's low back disability has been rated at 40% based on severe limitation of motion.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee conditions have been denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support evaluations in excess of the current 20 percent and 10 percent ratings.

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for further development and review of the veteran's claims, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting additional examinations. The issues include evaluations for chronic low back pain and arthritis of the left knee, as well as entitlements related to a meniscectomy and scarring.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left knee disability and achalasia, finding that the evidence did not support an increase in rating.