Knee decisions — 2006

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, hip, and low back disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has denied service connection for pruritis of the palm of the right hand and a bilateral knee disability. Service connection was not established as there is no evidence of such conditions during active duty or within one year after discharge.

The veteran claims service connection for a left knee disability, but the case is being remanded due to incomplete records and further development of the claim.

The Board denied service connection for chronic left knee, right hip, and left hip disabilities due to lack of evidence showing their onset during or within one year after the veteran's military service. The claim for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of July 14, 2003.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a right knee injury in service, and the current diagnosis of degenerative arthritis was not related to service. As such, the claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently-diagnosed knee disabilities are not shown to be proximately due to his service-connected post-traumatic arthritis of the ankles, and thus denied both claims for secondary service connection.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for right and left knee disabilities are denied as the evidence does not support a finding of more than 'slight' impairment.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD and right leg, right ankle, and right knee disabilities has been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing his appeals.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for a Travel Board hearing on all issues. The veteran should be scheduled for this hearing at the earliest opportunity.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a videoconference hearing at the RO, as requested.

The Board granted service connection for right knee strain, and the veteran's claim for a 'right knee condition' is dismissed as there are no other conditions found.

The veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of an avulsion fracture of the left iliac crest was denied. The Board found that separate evaluations were warranted based on limitation of motion and painful motion related to service-connected arthritis.,The veteran's claims for initial disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for arthritis of the low back, right hip, and knees, as well as a TDIU, were granted.

The veteran's claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a below-the-knee amputation of his left lower extremity has been granted.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back, right knee, and right ankle disabilities are not related to his service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing lumbar spine disability was aggravated during his period of active duty, warranting service connection for this condition.

The Board granted a 60 percent evaluation for multilevel degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine since July 18, 1997. The veteran's right and left knee meniscectomy disabilities are rated at 20 percent each.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and a bilateral heel disability, finding that the veteran's current conditions were not due to disease or injury in active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not show exceptional or unusual circumstances warranting referral for extraschedular consideration.

The veteran's service connection for right foot swelling and left foot swelling due to venous insufficiency is granted. The veteran's service connection for residuals of a right knee injury is also granted.,Beginning on August 1, 2000, the veteran's service-connected chronic myofascial pain of the back (previously chronic myofascial pain syndrome) is rated at 10 percent.