Knee decisions — 2005

The veteran's service-connected chronic low back strain and right knee disability were evaluated, but the RO denied his claims for increased ratings. The RO found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating at any point.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a right knee disorder, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a bilateral knee condition related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating for limitation of motion and arthritis. The Board finds that his current symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral knee disability is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral ankle disorder, left knee disorder, low back disorder, and arthritis of the right hip are all service-connected due to their relationship with his pre-existing Perthes' disease.

The VA determined that the veteran's current right knee disorder, including arthritis, was not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for initial and increased ratings for scars as residuals of shell fragment wounds were denied. The left knee scar was not tender or painful, did not involve ulceration, instability, or cover a total area warranting a compensable rating. The right hand and forearm scars also met these criteria.

The veteran's claims for an initial, compensable rating for a scar as the residual of a superficial penetrating shell fragment wound of the left anteromedial superior knee skin surface and for an increased (compensable) rating for scars as the residuals of superficial shell fragment wounds of the right hand and distal forearm were denied. The veteran's claim for service connection for essential hypertension, to include as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus was not perfected.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as her claim of service connection for a back disability. The RO in Waco, Texas initially denied these claims in August 1982 based on the absence of evidence showing a link between the claimed disabilities and active military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any arthritis in the veteran's right shoulder, right foot, and knees. The RO must ensure all notification and development action required by VCAA are fully complied with.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, neck disorder, right and left shoulder disorders, bilateral hip disorders, bilateral knee disorders, low back disorder, and headaches. The decision found no current diagnosis of tinnitus attributable to military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that hypertension, epididymitis, plantar fasciitis of the right foot, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, post-operative meniscectomy of the left knee, hemorrhoids, and sleep apnea did not warrant higher ratings or service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete service medical records.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right knee disability present in service or related to the veteran's service-connected left knee condition. The examiner concluded that the veteran's right knee symptoms were due to participation in sports, not his military service.

The Board found that the veteran did not timely file a substantive appeal with regard to an August 1998 rating decision, and thus lacks jurisdiction over this case.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for medical records and information regarding a military hospitalization.

The Board has remanded the veteran's appeal due to a lack of consideration of lay statements and missing service medical records. The case must be returned for further development, including obtaining Army National Guard and Army Reserve medical and personnel records.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's left knee disability, effective from July 23, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right knee disability and service connection for lumbosacral strain and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, finding that the evidence did not support these claims.