Knee decisions — 2005

The VA determined that the veteran's left knee disability, characterized by constant symptoms and minimal limitation of motion, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his attorney, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review the claims.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including a VA audiological evaluation and clarification of the veteran's muscle groups involved in his service-connected conditions.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a right knee condition that was incurred in or aggravated by his active service, and is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected iliotibial band tendonitis and greater trochanteric bursitis of the right hip.

The Board found no evidence of a current bilateral knee condition related to service and denied the veteran's claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various foot, leg, and ankle disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right foot disabilities, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his hearing loss claim. The Board also found that there was insufficient medical evidence linking current disabilities to service.

The VA denied increased ratings for the service-connected post-traumatic arthritis of the left knee and chronic patellar tendonitis of the right knee, both currently rated at 20% and 10%, respectively.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability, including degenerative joint disease. Separate ratings may be assigned if there are additional functional losses or limitations due to arthritis and limitation of motion.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluations of his service-connected low back, left knee, and right ankle disorders is being remanded due to the need for updated examinations and consideration of revised rating criteria.

The appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for proper VCAA notification and compliance with VA's duty to assist.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the veteran and requests for additional examination reports. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new information.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The veteran's asthma is found to be at least as likely as not related to his period of service, including presumed herbicide exposure. Separate, 10 percent ratings are granted for arthritis and chondromalacia of the right and left knees.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and degenerative joint disease of the right knee do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA's schedular guidelines.

The Board has raised questions about the exact nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed left knee disability and Meniere's disease. Additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are service-connected.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability for the claimed conditions and thus, service connection cannot be established. The veteran's claims for increased ratings are also denied as he does not have any diagnosed disabilities.

The veteran's low back strain and right knee disability are rated at 20% and 10%, respectively. The Board granted an increased rating of 40% for the low back strain, finding that it meets the criteria for such a rating. However, the right knee disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder. The claims for service connection for bilateral foot and low back disorders are pending.