Knee decisions — 2006

The Board granted service connection for residuals of cold injuries to both lower extremities and increased the disability rating for left ankle disability from noncompensable to 20 percent.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a right knee disability that he claims is secondary to his service-connected bilateral ankle degenerative joint disease. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, but denied service connection for right knee and hemorrhoids disorders.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee disability originated during his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting epiphysitis of the right femur did not increase in severity during his active duty service and denied service connection for a right knee disorder.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and a low back disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The highest rating the evidence supports is a 20 percent disability rating for partial rupture of muscle group XII (right anterior tibialis) and degenerative joint disease of the right knee, with no higher initial rating allowed due to the amputation rule.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death. The appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of her husband's death is denied.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the right knee, finding that there is no competent evidence linking the condition to any incident of service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for left ankle disability and granted it. However, the Board denied service connection for left knee disability as there is no evidence linking the current condition to military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records and a new examination. The issues include seeking increased disability ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities and determining whether he has service-connected ankle disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for an examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right knee disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back injury, arthritis of the knees, and residuals of a right orchiectomy are not service-connected.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including a VA examination and issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a diagnosed bilateral knee disability associated with his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of current disability for the right shoulder disorder, COPD, arthritis of the hands, and arthritis of the right knee. The veteran's claims were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and his service.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed left knee, shoulder, wrist, and low back disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The diagnoses are considered to be related to post-service activities.

The Board has determined that a rating of 20 percent is warranted for the veteran's left knee disability with residuals of synovectomy, partial meniscectomy, and excision of a ganglion cyst.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as increased ratings for tinnitus and sinusitis. The hearing loss claim is still pending.