Knee decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, heart disorder, seizure disorder (epilepsy), bronchitis, and diabetes mellitus. The decision found that new evidence did not establish a current disability or link these conditions to service.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluations for his service-connected left knee, left ankle, and right hip disabilities has been denied. The highest schedular disability evaluation of 60 percent is currently in effect for the left leg conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left knee disability and service connection for a cervical spine disability. The decision is based on the lack of evidence supporting the requested ratings or connections.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee conditions are denied as there is no evidence showing that the current ratings do not adequately reflect the severity of his disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left knee injury, finding that there is no competent evidence linking his current left knee disability to service.

The Board has denied increased ratings for the veteran's right and left knee disorders, but service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including residuals of bilateral knee injuries, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran's knee, shoulder, ankle, and spine conditions need further examination to determine their etiology. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has ordered additional development of the record due to incomplete medical history and a need for an orthopedic examination. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered after this information is obtained.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not due to a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee and lumbar spine disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and arthritis was first shown years post-service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions could not be granted.

The Board denied service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and a neck condition, finding no evidence of such conditions during or related to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a shrapnel wound to the left knee, finding that his injury was not incurred during his period of recognized service and thus denying the claim.

The Board dismissed the appeal because a timely Notice of Disagreement was not received with respect to the May 2002 rating decision that denied service connection for a left knee disability, assigned an initial 10 percent evaluation for arthritis of the right shoulder acromioclavicular joint, and assigned initial noncompensable evaluations each for left ear hearing loss and bilateral pes cavus.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected left knee disorder, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service medical records and the need for an orthopedic examination to determine if the veteran's current right knee disability is related to his in-service injury.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and separate ratings for his right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support higher evaluations based on current symptomatology.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disorder, including osteoarthritis, finding that there is no evidence showing the condition was incurred in or aggravated by service and that it did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and contacting his employer.

The veteran does not have a diagnosed right ankle, shoulder, low back, hip, or knee disability. He also does not have residuals of chlorine gas exposure for which service connection is granted.