Knee decisions — 2006

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the veteran's current prostate, low back, or knee disorders to his military service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA) and additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the proximate cause of the veteran's right below-the-knee amputation was due to VA fault in November 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by her active service and is therefore denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability and service connection for a low back disability as secondary to his left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and its incurrence or aggravation during such service may not be presumed. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating from 20 percent for residuals of a gunshot wound to the right knee with a fracture of the tibial plateau and scars was denied. Additionally, he is granted a separate, additional 10 percent disability evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the right knee.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims. The veteran currently has a service-connected duodenal ulcer, hiatal hernia, and gastroenteritis that causes his diarrhea.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a current VA examination of his left knee.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected right knee meniscectomy with degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and clarification regarding loose bodies in the knee.

The Board denied service connection for an eye disability, a lumbar spine disability, and a bilateral knee disability due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an extra-schedular rating for his service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left knee, finding that it did not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture.

The Board denied the veteran's increased disability evaluations for residuals of a lumbar strain, chondromalacia of the left knee, and chondromalacia of the right knee as his service-connected conditions do not warrant higher ratings under the applicable criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for postoperative residuals, right knee disability and service connection for a right knee tumor claimed as secondary to his residuals of a right knee meniscus tear.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left below-the-knee amputation was not due to VA medical fault or unforeseeable events, and therefore denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to provide proper notice and development under the VCAA, including obtaining SSA records.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disorder did not have its onset in service or is otherwise etiologically related to his active service. The left foot scar was also deemed asymptomatic and without functional impairment, thus denying both claims for service connection and increased rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU and his increased rating for headaches. The case is being remanded to issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case on the increased rating for headaches.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for service connection of the veteran's claimed disabilities cannot be earlier than March 22, 2001 as no claims were received prior to this date.

The veteran's cervical spine and knee disabilities are granted with a 10% rating, while his left shoulder disability is service-connected. Right ear hearing loss is also found to be service-connected.