Knee decisions — 2006

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for hypertension, alopecia, a bilateral knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for separate schedular ratings for bilateral tinnitus was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the issues of service connection for left knee internal derangement and hypertension. The veteran's claim will be re-adjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a left knee injury should be remanded due to incomplete records and inadequate VCAA notice.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee and awarded a compensable rating (10 percent) for varicocele of the left scrotum.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee conditions, finding that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of his disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development at the RO level.

For the period beginning March 9, 2001, your residuals of a left knee injury have been manifested by pain on motion; there is no limitation of extension or flexion. A rating in excess of 10 percent for these residuals is not warranted.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The veteran's claims for service connection for schizoaffective disorder, and initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right hip and knee were denied. The effective date claim was also denied.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim of a bilateral knee disability related to his period of service.

The veteran's claims for increased disability rating, service connection of residuals of scurvy due to World War II service in the Armed Forces of Poland, and service connection for dental treatment purposes were denied. The decision also addressed a remanded issue regarding service connection of residuals of scurvy due to aggravation by Korean War combat service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and PTSD. The claim for service connection for atrophy of the right testicle, right hand disorder, and benign masses was also denied as new and material evidence had not been received. Additionally, the veteran's duodenal ulcer disease with hiatal hernia, bilateral tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss were all found to be without legal basis for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and lumbar spine disorders, finding that new evidence did not sufficiently establish a direct relationship to his military service.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the residuals of left knee injury, effective February 27, 2002. Separate evaluations are not warranted for these conditions.

The Board found that the medical evidence did not establish a connection between the veteran's left knee disability and his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection and increased evaluations, finding no current disability or evidence of a disease incurred in service. The tinnitus claim was also denied as there is only one rating available under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for higher ratings for left knee traumatic arthritis and seborrheic dermatitis due to incomplete development of evidence, including a need for VA medical examinations.

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