Knee decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as his back disability. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen previously denied claims for left and right shoulder dislocations.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a right knee disability due to new and material evidence. However, further development is needed before deciding on the merits of the claim.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disorders, as well as his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and low back disorder were denied by the RO.

The veteran's residuals of a shrapnel wound to the right knee were rated at 10 percent effective September 23, 2004. The condition was manifested by pain and stiffness with limited range of motion from 80 degrees flexion and 10 degrees extension.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disability was aggravated by service, but denied service connection for his left knee strain with chondromalacia.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during his military service, warranting service connection. The right toe fungus, bilateral arthritis of the knees, and floaters of the eyes were not found to be directly related to service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and right knee and hip disability. The claim of reopening the left hip disability was granted based on new evidence.,Service connection for residuals of a left knee injury is not established, as there is no direct or secondary relationship to service-connected conditions.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and the case is dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully evaluate the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting further examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not timely file a substantive appeal for his claims of increased rating and TDIU, thus dismissing these appeals.

The Board found that the veteran's current right knee disability was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no competent evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected disabilities have been granted, with the highest evaluation assigned being 30 percent for the residuals of shell fragment wounds to the left foot.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the knees and a lumbar condition, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right knee arthritis, residuals of a fracture of the right tibia and fibula, and residuals of a fracture of the right elbow. The evidence showed degenerative changes in both knees but no limitation of motion or functional impairment that would warrant an evaluation higher than 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability, finding that his pre-existing condition did not worsen during service and was within its natural progression.

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

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic depression that is aggravated by his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left knee.

The veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been granted increased disability evaluations of 10 percent for limitation of flexion, and a separate 20 percent evaluation for limitation of extension.

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