Knee decisions — 2005

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of her left knee sprain disability, currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and hypertension, do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes as they are not sufficiently disabling to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board found no persuasive medical evidence linking the veteran's left knee disorder to his service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that his injury during active duty in February 1980 was related to his current condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disorder did not have its onset during active service or an applicable presumptive period, and is not otherwise related to disease or injury in service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, arthritis of multiple joints (to include knees and pelvis), and a left shoulder disability (claimed as arthritis).

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a change in personnel at the Board.

The Board found that the veteran's multiple joint pain, including his low back and bilateral ankles, knees, and great toes, is not related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, with the exception of a TDIU claim which is pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee conditions, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted service connection for the right knee disorder as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability and assigned a rating of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including neuropathy/carpal tunnel syndrome, a low back disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and bilateral foot disorders. The decision found that there was no evidence of current disabilities or etiological links to military service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence showing a current right knee disability or any link between his service-connected right ankle disability and his claimed condition.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. Service connection was granted, but no rating assigned.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection and a higher initial rating for the service-connected retropatellar pain syndrome of the left knee were granted, with an effective date of November 21, 2002. The issue of service connection for a right knee disability was also granted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sacroiliitis and multiple sclerosis with decreased sensation and ataxia in both upper extremities, do not meet the eligibility requirements for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to her blindness and anatomical loss of use of one or more extremities.