Knee decisions — 2006

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic disease related to service.

The Board has granted increased evaluations of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected post traumatic degenerative changes of the right knee and an increased evaluation of 20 percent for his service-connected post traumatic degenerative changes of the left knee, both effective January 10, 2003.

The Board has determined that the above-the-knee amputation of the right lower extremity was not caused by VA treatment, and specifically not by carelessness or negligence on the part of VA. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service and have denied all of his claims.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, left knee disorder, and hypertension. The veteran's claims were not supported by verified stressors or medical evidence linking the conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability is not service-connected and therefore, he is not entitled to a temporary total evaluation for surgery and convalescence of his left knee.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The right chest gunshot wound and right knee conditions are rated at the minimum levels, while headaches receive a separate rating.

The Board found that schizophrenia was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claim for an increased rating for osteoarthritis of the right elbow, right ankle, and both knees with hypermobile joint syndrome is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining x-rays and providing VCAA notice. The veteran's left knee and bilateral ankle disorders will be evaluated by a VA examiner to determine their etiology.

The veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD and a right knee condition due to undiagnosed illness resulting from service in Southwest Asia. His low back pain is also rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board found that the evidence does not support service connection for a cardiovascular disorder, left knee disorder, or an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The appellant's claims were denied as there is no competent medical evidence to link these conditions to her military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current neck, thoracic spine, lumbosacral spine, right knee, right shoulder, right hip, right calf, or right foot disability. The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not interfere with normal employment.

The Board has determined that additional VCAA-compliant notice is needed and the case must be remanded for further development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle as secondary to her service-connected hammertoe correction. The lumbar spine disorder claim was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim for service connection for bilateral onychomycosis of the feet. The veteran's hearing loss was not found to meet VA criteria for a disability, and his tonsil condition did not result in hoarseness or inflammation of the cords.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and left knee arthritis, finding that the veteran did not have a current disability meeting VA's definition of hearing loss or arthritis within one year post-service. The evidence also showed no medical opinion linking these conditions to service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable initial evaluation for a service-connected seasonal allergic rhinitis disorder. The remaining issues of increased evaluations for costochondritis, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease are pending.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disorder was not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is clear and unmistakable evidence of a pre-existing condition prior to service.