Knee decisions — 2005

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for right knee and diabetes mellitus was denied. The RO has combined a 50 percent rating for status post internal derangement of the right knee with residuals and degenerative changes, and a 20 percent rating for instability of the right knee, resulting in a total combined rating of 60 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination and failure to address all relevant factors in evaluating the veteran's knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder, characterized by range of motion from 0 to 140 degrees with pain on flexion and extension, warrants a rating of 20 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a knee injury in service or current chronic disability, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his post-meniscectomy right knee disability, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and post-operative scarring of the right knee. The evidence did not support a rating higher than 10 percent for any of these conditions.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of his degenerative arthritis of the left knee, finding that there is no evidence linking this condition to his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left knee and right scaphoid disabilities were denied. The claim for the left pectoralis tear was also denied, but the RO granted service connection for mechanical low back pain with abnormal bone scan and mild degenerative disc disease.

The veteran's claims for service connection for joint and muscle pain of the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, and for post-traumatic stress disorder were denied. The Board found that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's right shoulder and bilateral knee disorders were not related to service or his service-connected PTSD. The claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was also denied as there is no evidence showing VA treatment caused the veteran's injuries.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability warranted a rating of 30 percent prior to October 30, 2003, and granted an increased rating after December 31, 2004.

The Board found that the veteran's current right shoulder, arm, knee, hip, and neck disorders are not related to his military service. The evidence showed no treatment for orthopedic problems during or immediately after service, and the disorders were first noted many years post-service following a motorcycle accident.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left knee and status post medial meniscectomy, left knee instability are denied.

The Board found that the veteran's left foot and left knee disorders are not related to his military service, leading to a denial of both claims.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected degenerative changes of the right knee, finding that there was no evidence of lost flexion or extension to warrant such a higher rating.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to care for his daily needs without the regular aid and attendance of another person, or render him unable to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment. Therefore, he is not entitled to special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle and left knee disabilities, claimed as secondary to service-connected arthritis of the right ankle. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee condition is related to his military service and grants service connection for a left knee disorder.

The veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various conditions, including liver disorders, head/neck injuries, back and limb issues, rash on buttocks, hypertension, memory loss, insomnia, stress, joint and muscle pain, and right knee problems. The RO is instructed to obtain his complete service medical records and issue a statement of the case regarding the undiagnosed illness claims.