Knee decisions — 2006

The Board found that the veteran's back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor may it be presumed to be incurred in service. The right knee degenerative joint disease is considered a stand-alone entity and does not aggravate the back disability. Therefore, service connection for the back disability cannot be granted.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for recurrent lateral instability of the left knee chondromalacia and confirmed a separate 10 percent rating for degenerative joint disease. The veteran's range of motion is currently -5 to 120 degrees.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to failure of the veteran to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has ordered further development of the evidence for the veteran's claims regarding sleep apnea, left elbow bursitis, right big toe, and left knee arthralgia disabilities. The case is being remanded to the RO for additional examination and review.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and a need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right and left knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by active service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board granted an increased rating to 10 percent for the veteran's left knee disorder, finding that it is manifested by severe left knee pain and subluxation, including associated arthritis and intermittent giving way or locking. The low back disorder was not shown in service and is not otherwise causally related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of right knee strain, right hip strain, and left hip strain as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for his service-connected low back, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee subluxation or instability, including Osgood-Schlatter's disease, as well as for left knee limitation of motion. The RO assigned a 10 percent evaluation for each knee disability under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities of otitis media, low back disability, or left knee disability for which service connection can be granted.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for his left knee disability and service connection for a right hip disorder were denied. The Board found no evidence of severe weakness or pain in the left knee, which prevented it from being rated higher than 30 percent under DC 5055. Service connection was also not granted as secondary to the veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the veteran and a need for further examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for back, hyperflexion injury to the neck, left knee, right knee, and chest pain conditions. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of a bilateral knee disorder or bilateral shoulder disorder, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. As such, the claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran is seeking compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability as a result of his July 2000 total right knee replacement surgery at a VA medical facility. The case has been remanded to obtain relevant records and conduct further examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and evidence from SSA.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right knee disability is etiologically related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the appellant's application to reopen his claim for VA benefits, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted. The RO initially denied the claim in August 1952 due to a lack of recognized guerilla service or Commonwealth Army membership in the United States Armed Forces.

The Board has determined that the veteran's knee disability and pes planus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during service or within one year after separation. The veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his military service.