Knee decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, including secondary to his already service-connected low back disability. The initial ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical segments of his spine were granted.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a chronic disability for which service connection could be granted, including left ear hearing loss, sinusitis, left knee and right knee disabilities, or right shoulder disability. The preponderance of evidence was against each claim.

The veteran's right knee scars due to a right tibia and fibula fracture are rated as noncompensable, with no evidence of underlying soft tissue damage or frequent loss of covering skin. The veteran is not entitled to an initial compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7804.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities and service connection for a left elbow disability are not granted. The appeal is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain and assigned a noncompensable rating for GERD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right knee injury and bilateral pes planus.

The Board found no evidence that the veteran's current left knee disorder is related to military service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for increased rating of PTSD is granted, and he remains rated at 30% for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The claims for disability of the lumbosacral spine and right knee are addressed in a separate remand.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination of his right knee disability.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a grant of service connection for bladder cancer, prostate disability and residuals of prostate removal, skin disability, or arthritis of the knees due to exposure to Agent Orange. The veteran's claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability was aggravated by service, while his left knee and right wrist disabilities are not related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The right knee disorder is rated at 40 percent disabling, while the anxiety disorder with depression is rated at 30 percent.

The Board granted a higher rating for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, assigning a 40 percent rating effective November 1, 2005. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate VA examination report.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and a skin disorder, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and a left knee disorder, finding that there was no nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral flat feet and right knee condition were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of hearing loss or eye problems in service and insufficient medical opinion to support a link between current conditions and service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability.