Knee decisions — 2006

The Board found that the veteran's ulcerative colitis was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim. The left knee disorder issue remains pending as it is unclear whether a new examination is warranted.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic lumbosacral spine disorder or left knee disorder that was incurred in service, and denied the veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current retropatellar pain syndrome is directly related to his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for a bilateral knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot peripheral sensory neuropathy, effective from May 22, 2002. The veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation and an earlier effective date for the award of service connection were also granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease is of a severity consistent with no more than one episode of congestive heart failure in the past year, or a workload of 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope. As such, an initial evaluation in excess of 60 percent for arteriosclerotic heart disease is denied.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the current ratings and compensation awards.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disorder and a right knee disorder, finding that the veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current hearing loss, left knee condition, or right knee condition to his military service. The Board concluded that the veteran's conditions are more likely related to post-service occupational noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for right foot stress fracture and did not address the other issues. The claim for herniated nucleus pulposus L4-5 was remanded, but no new evidence has been provided to reopen the claim.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability, with a history of meniscus tears and patellar tendonitis, is manifested by pain, tenderness, some secondary muscle atrophy and degenerative changes. The range of motion studies have been predominantly normal without evidence of instability or swelling.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, depression (secondary to a service-connected disability), and increased evaluations for eczema, left elbow injury, and left thumb injury. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left knee injury, bilateral arthritis of the knees, and hammertoe deformity of the second toe of the left foot. The appeals are dismissed.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of post-traumatic arthritis, left knee; reopening service connection for a left ankle disability and service connection for a back disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating or service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence, including obtaining a VA examination and opinion regarding his anxiety disorder claim. Additionally, he needs VCAA notice concerning increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary to determine the etiology of the veteran's current right knee disorder. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The veteran's skin lesions, headaches, and left knee joint pain were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of undiagnosed illness for these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination and verification of his USAR service. The claims will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right knee, bilateral shoulder, or tinea pedis disability for which service connection can be granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of the right knee and leg, left knee and leg, left arm, or bilateral hip that is related to military service. As such, these claims for service connection are denied.