Knee decisions — 2005

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and requests for additional evidence. The veteran is entitled to a hearing before an RO Decision Review Officer on both his back disorder claim and left knee disorder increased rating claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee strain and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, finding that there was no evidence to support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's physical disabilities, including chronic lumbar strain and degenerative disease of the cervical spine, do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for VA pension purposes due to their combined effect on his ability to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board finds that the veteran's post-traumatic arthritis of the right knee was incurred during his military service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for reopening service connection for right and left knee disorders due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claims for increased rating of diabetes mellitus, service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes, and left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The claim for reopening a right knee disability is also being remanded.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, but denied them on the merits. The low back disorder claim remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions and therefore, service connection is denied for all issues.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected left knee post-traumatic arthritis does not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture causing marked interference with employment or frequent hospitalization, and therefore denied referral to the Under Secretary for Benefits or the Director, Compensation and Pension Service, for consideration of an extra-schedular evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder is attributable to service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the veteran's inability to attend his hearing, and a new video conference hearing is scheduled.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral knee and foot disabilities were not incurred in or related to his active military service. The VA examinations, National Guard records, and private medical records do not support a link between the current disabilities and service.

The veteran's service-connected left shoulder disorder is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.,Service connection for right knee and right shoulder disorders cannot be established as there is no in-service diagnosis or treatment of these conditions, and no competent medical evidence linking current diagnoses to military service.

The veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for his bilateral knee conditions were granted, with a rating of 10 percent each.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her service-connected right knee and left wrist disabilities have been denied. The current ratings are deemed appropriate.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The claims of service connection and increased rating for left knee disability, as well as a compensable rating for Dupuytren's cyst, are pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to the lack of recent VA examination and the veteran's testimony indicating worsening symptoms. The case is being remanded for a new VA examination.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his incomplete paralysis, median nerve, left hand disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not demonstrate complete paralysis to warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 8515. Additionally, the veteran's claim for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to loss or use of one lower extremity and associated disabilities was also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left ankle, stomach, and low back disabilities. The examiner found no current diagnoses or etiology that supported these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for PTSD, finding no new and material evidence.