Knee decisions — 2005

The veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current symptomatology.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of bilateral hip, ankle, and left knee injuries, hypertension, and hemorrhoids. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service or any incident therein.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and cervical spine disability. The veteran's claim of reopening the cervical spine disability was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left hip and bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of chronic disability during service or within one year thereafter. The current disabilities are not shown to be related to service.

The veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent for instability, but a separate rating of 10 percent for pain due to arthritis has been granted. The higher ratings are denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to clarify his representation and schedule him for a videoconference hearing. The issues of reopening the left knee disability claim and increasing the right shoulder disability rating are pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for dorsal spine arthritis, prostate cancer (claimed secondary to left varicocele), and arthritis of both knees, lumbar spine, and sacroiliac joints. The appeals were not granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee and back disabilities are not related to his active duty service.

The veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disorder was denied. His right ankle and knee disorders are currently rated at 20 percent prior to October 18, 2004, and 30 percent thereafter.

The veteran's right hip and left knee disabilities are being reviewed to determine if they are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right knee disability. The case is remanded for further examination and medical opinion.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for left knee and right ankle disabilities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including multiple orthopedic conditions affecting the same body system, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disability. The May 1975 rating decision denying this claim is final.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection of his left knee condition and bilateral flat foot condition. However, the claims were denied as there is no evidence showing aggravation during service or a link between current conditions and active duty.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for compliance with VCAA notification and assistance requirements.

The veteran's bilateral hearing impairment, right knee disability, and low back disability are not service-connected.,There is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected right knee DJD, finding that his disability did not meet criteria for an increased rating.

The VA denied service connection for a right wrist disability and hearing loss of the left ear, as well as initial ratings for low back and left knee disabilities. The veteran's current conditions have not been demonstrated to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cause of death was aspiration pneumonia as a consequence of Parkinson's disease. The service-connected PTSD and medications did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left ankle fracture and orthopedic disabilities of the back, hips, knees, and legs. The veteran's claims were based on direct evidence rather than presumptions or secondary conditions.