Knee decisions — 2005

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence and need for further development, including obtaining lay statements from service comrades and a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and no link to current symptoms. The Board also noted that arthritis could not be presumed as a chronic disease.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his postoperative anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction of the left knee with slight instability, currently rated at 20 percent. The issue of service connection for traumatic arthritis of the left knee was also addressed and granted.

The Board granted service connection for asthma effective from February 19, 1984. The veteran's claims for right knee and left ankle disorders were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's claims of increased ratings for his knee and wrist disabilities, as well as service connection for hip and back disorders, are pending.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Travel Board Hearing. The case will be returned to the Board if necessary.

The Board has granted initial evaluations of 100 percent for the service-connected status post arthroplasties of each knee from December 1, 2002 to September 17, 2003 and separate disability ratings of 30 percent for each knee beginning on September 18, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of adequate medical evidence supporting the veteran's claims.

The veteran's service-connected left total knee arthroplasty renders him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment as a TV/ radio repairman.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic left knee disorder in service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's current arm symptoms are more likely related to alcohol consumption rather than in-service trauma. Therefore, service connection for a bilateral arm disability was denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal as it did not have jurisdiction over Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Loan Center's mortgage foreclosure and the authority to reinstate a mortgage that is in default.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and the veteran's low back disability is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee and right shoulder disabilities, as well as his tinnitus, are service-connected. However, there is no evidence of a current heart disability or bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection, finding that his current left leg disability was not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's right knee disorder is not service connected, and his left hip disorder remains denied.,His hearing loss claim has been reopened.

The veteran is seeking an increased disability rating for postoperative chondromalacia of the right knee. The case has been remanded to allow for a new VA examination and review of her claim.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance due to her inability to perform activities of daily living, as she was found capable of feeding herself, dressing herself, bathing herself, attending to the needs of nature without assistance. She is not blind or bedridden and does not require regular aid and attendance.

The veteran is seeking compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a left knee disorder he claims was incurred or aggravated while participating in a VA compensated work therapy program, and exacerbated by subsequent surgery at a VA facility.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a right knee injury and residuals of a right ankle injury have been denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions are related to his military service.