Knee decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's bilateral knee disability is related to his service, specifically the parachute jumps he performed during active duty.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disorders, maintaining their current evaluations of 20 percent.

The VA has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, which was previously rated as noncompensable due to instability and arthritis, does not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence of record.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The right wrist condition is rated at 40%, PTSD at 30%, and the left forearm condition at 10%. No other conditions or issues received a rating.

The Board denied service connection for right knee disability and arthritis of the left ankle in September 2002, finding no competent evidence of a diagnosable condition other than congenital abnormalities. The veteran's new evidence did not address these issues.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of right knee, low back, and bilateral ankle conditions. The effective date for an increased rating of 20% for his left knee condition was also denied.

The veteran's right knee arthritis and finger disabilities are rated at 20 percent, effective March 16, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, finding that new evidence did not reopen his claim of back injury and that his eye and skin conditions were not incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee disabilities and chest pain (diagnosed as posterior mitral leaflet prolapse) are not related to service. The preponderance of evidence shows no continuity of symptomatology or a link between current conditions and military service.

The Board found that the veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantial gainful employment, thus denying his claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board finds that the veteran's left knee condition did not have its onset during service or within one year of service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded to the RO for further action.

The veteran's right knee mild osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for further development and consideration of whether new evidence has been presented to reopen a claim for service connection for left knee injuries.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a current disability related to her bilateral knee conditions or low back condition. The claim for service connection is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities and seeks initial compensable evaluations. The case is being remanded to comply with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA) and to provide a VA examination for her back condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder. The case will be further evaluated in light of all the evidence, including the additional VA and non-VA medical records and examinations.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic eye disability or signs/symptoms of an undiagnosed illness of the eyes present in service, and thus, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for astigmatism and for increased ratings for bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome (PPS) and sinusitis. The rating for bunion right foot was also denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations and medical opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed left knee, right knee, and genitourinary disabilities.