Knee decisions — 2004

The VA granted service connection for posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the right knee, status post partial medial menisectomy and assigned a 10 percent rating effective from July 9, 2002.

The Board has reopened the claim and granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, finding that it is related to in-service injury. Service connection for rupture of the ACL was denied as there is no evidence linking this condition to military service.

The VA examiner determined that the veteran's current left knee disability resulted from treatment at a VA medical center, and this was considered a necessary consequence of the initial surgery.

The Board has remanded the case due to legal provisions of the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA) and the need for a VA examination to address the effects of pain on right knee arthritis.

The Board has determined that service connection for chronic low back pain with sciatica to the right leg, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, and osteoarthritis of the right hip is not warranted as there is no competent medical evidence establishing current disabilities.

The veteran's bilateral peripheral vascular disease, which developed as a result of his service-connected arteriosclerotic heart disease and an injury sustained during a fall in 2000, is granted secondary to the service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses for right ear hearing loss or a right knee disability, and thus service connection cannot be granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left leg injury sustained in service was not due to willful misconduct and therefore, it was incurred in the line of duty.

The Board has received notification from the appellant that they wish to withdraw their appeal. As a result, the appeal is dismissed without prejudice.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records and clarify Dr. D.U.'s review of the veteran's claims file, before deciding whether new evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for a right knee disorder.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability and cardiovascular disability (excluding beriberi), finding no evidence of such conditions related to his verified period of service. The claim for nosebleeds was also denied as new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability, and TDIU. The decision also confirmed the zero percent rating for gluteal myositis.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking the veteran's current left knee disability to his service. The claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a left rib cage injury is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and found that the veteran's right knee disability does not warrant an evaluation greater than 10 percent.

The Board has determined that there is no current disability of the left leg due to a shell fragment wound, and the preponderance of evidence does not support a nexus between service-connected conditions and post-traumatic arthritis, left knee, with instability and degenerative joint disease, left ankle.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected left leg and knee disabilities.

The veteran's disability compensation benefits have been terminated due to the divorce of the appellant and the veteran, as an ex-spouse is not a proper claimant for apportionment.

The veteran's major depression and right knee disorder were granted, but her refraction error was denied. The right hip disorder (sacroiliitis) claim was also denied.

The Board found no evidence linking the appellant's current left knee disorder to service, and denied his claim for service connection.