Knee decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a right knee injury, diabetes mellitus (due to herbicide exposure), and hepatitis B. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service injuries or exposures related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disorder is likely incurred during military service.

The Board found no evidence of a current right knee disorder and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a right knee disability, and a back disability. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has decided the case should be remanded for a VA medical examination and etiology opinion regarding the veteran's right knee condition, including whether it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has determined that there are procedural deficiencies and the veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and other issues need to be remanded for further action.

The Board finds no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current diagnoses and his period of active service, resulting in denial of all claims.

The veteran's service-connected right knee arthritis warrants staged ratings of 10 percent from September 16, 2002 and 20 percent (combined) from December 14, 2004.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities were granted, with ratings of 10%, 20%, and 40% for the right and left knees respectively, effective March 30, 2006.

The Board has determined that the veteran's postoperative right knee scar does not warrant a higher evaluation and therefore denies an initial compensable evaluation.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's severe arthritis of the left knee prior to November 25, 2003.

The veteran's service-connected left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee and leg conditions, vitiligo of the groin and penis, and headaches/dizziness were not service-connected. The veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher disability evaluation in any issue.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA orthopedic examination to determine the current severity of the service-connected right knee disorder and assessing any functional impairment due to pain or other symptoms.

The veteran's fibromyalgia is currently rated at 40 percent, effective February 22, 2005. The appeal for higher ratings on other conditions remains denied.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting knee and ankle disabilities did not increase in pathology during service, nor are they otherwise related to such service. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 10 percent for his right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to be incurred in or aggravated by such service. The Board also noted conflicting findings regarding his bilateral knee and ankle disabilities and instructed a new VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his left knee conditions, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent under Diagnostic Codes 5260 (flexion) and 5261 (extension).

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disorder, an initial compensable rating for traumatic hematuria, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee injury. The reasons were that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to service, and the veteran failed to report for necessary VA examinations.