Knee decisions — 2006

The Board is remanding the case for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's right knee disability is related to his military service, whether it was caused by his service-connected left knee disability, and whether it was aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. The RO will also provide complete VCAA notice.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, as well as residuals of a fracture of the right ulna (major), all currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not warrant an increase in disability evaluations.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right knee disability and service connection for a psychiatric disability were denied. The current rating for patellofemoral syndrome and patellar tendonitis of the right knee is 10 percent, which adequately compensates the veteran's symptoms.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current hearing loss or tinnitus, and there is no evidence of a right knee disability related to service. Therefore, the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right knee disability are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle, right knee, and left knee disorders due to lack of evidence of current disabilities. The new evidence submitted since the July 1970 decision did not establish a current disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee condition is related to service and granted service connection for a right knee disorder. The left knee issue remains pending.

The Board has determined that a remand is required for the veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability and increased ratings for his knee disabilities. The VA will attempt to obtain a letter from Dr. C. regarding the relationship between the veteran's service-connected knee condition and his current back disability.

The Board has determined that the residuals of a left knee injury, other than degenerative joint disease, warrant a 20 percent rating from April 20, 2005.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as lumbosacral strain, were denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and bilateral hip disorder are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for the veteran's post-operative residuals of left knee synovitis, currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates were denied as there was no factual basis to establish unemployability or increased disability prior to June 18, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of the veteran's service-connected left knee disability. The effective date is not specified.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations for his left and right knee disabilities, finding that the clinical evidence did not support ratings in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disorder and post-phlebitic syndrome were granted, with the effective date set at the date of receipt of the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to a lack of evidence showing an intent to claim these conditions prior to April 12, 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have Gilbert's Disease or a left knee disability related to service. The right knee disability is denied as well.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and retrieval of private medical records. The case will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.