Knee decisions — 2006

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disorder pre-existed service and did not permanently increase in severity during or as a result of service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee and right shoulder conditions are related to service, while his cervical spine condition is not. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board found that the veteran's lumbosacral strain and right knee degenerative joint disease were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The veteran's right fifth metacarpal and right knee arthritis have been granted initial ratings of noncompensable. However, the right knee arthritis has now been rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne, arthritis (claimed as bone deterioration), heart disease, a low back disability, and a left knee disability due to exposure to herbicides. The evidence did not show that these conditions were related to service or to in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The veteran's right knee disability, including partial medial meniscectomy and degenerative arthritis, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear condition, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, sinus polyps and deviated septum, bilateral knee arthritis, lumbar spine arthritis, cervical spine arthritis, and PTSD, are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of both knees and asthma, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's period of active service.,The RO previously denied service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis in January 1988. The veteran did not appeal this decision.

The Board has denied reopening the claims for service connection for bone ulcer of the right shin, chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, and left knee injury due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are being reviewed to determine if they contributed to his death. The DIC claim is also under review.

The Board finds that the veteran's left knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to an event of service origin. As a result, the claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's right knee disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right knee or ankle disorder in service, and the current disorders are not otherwise related to service. The claims for service connection for right knee and right ankle disorders must be denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee injuries, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptomatology.

The veteran has withdrawn their appeal, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disability caused an increase in his right knee disorder, disabilities of the hips, and a low back disorder. Therefore, these conditions are considered secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee instability does not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent disability rating.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective April 1999.,Service connection for left knee strain residuals and chronic musculoskeletal pain of the left shoulder are granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service medical records and missing treatment records.

The Board determined that the veteran's left and right knee disorders were not incurred or aggravated during his period of active service. The VA examinations did not find any evidence linking these conditions to his military service.