Knee decisions — 2005

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current right knee disability and that any such disability is not related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and readjudicating the claim under all appropriate statutory and regulatory provisions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the St. Louis RO.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records related to his disability benefits.

The veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted, and the RO must readjudicate all other claims. Additional development may be needed for some of these claims.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of hypertension and left knee disorder are denied. The claim for service connection for psychiatric disorder is reopened, but the new evidence does not establish a relationship to service. The claim for service connection for left optic atrophy remains denied as no new and material evidence has been presented.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right leg injury, characterized as degenerative joint disease of the right knee, finding that there was no evidence linking this condition to his military service or any other service-connected disability.

The Board found that the veteran's right and left knee disabilities did not increase in severity during service, thus denying her claims for service connection.

The VA determined that the veteran's right knee disability, which is currently rated at 10 percent, does not warrant a higher rating based on functional impairment or additional limitations.

The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for limitation of extension due to recurrent synovitis of the left knee with a retained foreign body, and a separate 10 percent rating for limitation of flexion. The effective date is not specified.

The veteran's service-connected right knee conditions, including lateral meniscectomy and traumatic arthritis, are currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disorder and back disorder are service-connected. The right knee disorder is considered to be a first manifestation of pre-existing injury, while the back disorder may be secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disorder.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, finding that there was no current existence of these conditions and that they were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred during in service. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. Service connection will be reconsidered based on the evidence presented.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased initial rating and earlier effective date for his bilateral knee disorder, finding that no evidence supported a claim prior to June 9, 1999.

The veteran's peptic ulcer disease, arteriosclerotic heart disease, dysthymic disorder, right knee injury, and sleep apnea were not incurred or aggravated during his military service. The Board found that the lack of treatment for these conditions for many years after service weighs against their claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and increased evaluation for left shoulder disability, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or other compensable conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's current bilateral knee disability is related to his service-connected pes planus or tinea pedis.