Knee decisions — 2005

The veteran's claim for financial assistance for the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment was denied as he does not meet the threshold requirement for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's arthritis of the knees did not manifest during service or within one year post-service, and there is no medical evidence linking his current condition to military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for arthritis of the right and left knees as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that the arthritis is related to military service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right ankle and left knee disabilities were denied. The right ankle disability was not found to warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, effective from March 6, 1995, through June 30, 1998, or July 1, 1998. For the left knee, no higher evaluation was granted.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected right knee disability, finding that the current rating of 10% is appropriate given the limited range of motion and lack of instability or subluxation.

The Board denied reopening the veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right heel spurs, right hip condition, right knee condition, low back condition, and right shoulder condition are all secondary to his service-connected residuals of strain to the medial plantar ligament involving the first metatarsal joint of the right foot. The decision is mixed as some conditions have been granted while others were denied.

The veteran's claim for hypertension service connection is denied. The Board finds no competent evidence linking the current diagnosis of hypertension to his period of military service or continuity of symptomatology after service. The only medical opinion indicates that the veteran's hypertension is not related to service. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claim. The veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 20 percent, and a VA examination is required for further assessment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, secondary to his service-connected left leg disability, and denied his requests for increased ratings for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left leg and left peroneal nerve impairment.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left knee is denied because there is no medical evidence showing he sustained such an injury during his military service.

The Board has granted the veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for gastrointestinal, bilateral knee, and back disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital due to lack of prior authorization and because no emergency condition existed that would have made delay hazardous.

The Board found new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claims of service connection for multiple joint pain in the hands, lower back, right knee, and headaches with fatigue. The case was remanded for additional development including verification of the veteran's Gulf War service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder impingement syndrome, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were denied. The claim for PTSD was also denied.,Service connection could not be established as there is no evidence of a relationship between in-service injuries and current disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for arthritis of the knees and shoulders, and service connection for hypertension.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, right knee disability, and hepatitis C are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee and bilateral hip disabilities, finding that new evidence did not warrant reopening his claim for left knee disability. The Board also determined that any current conditions were not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and the provision of relevant medical records.