Knee decisions — 2006

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and a right knee disability. The veteran's hypertension claim was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, while his right knee disability claim was denied as there is no direct evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and there is no evidence of record linking his claimed conditions to military service or any service-connected disabilities. The veteran's chest pain, bilateral glaucoma, degenerative disc disease of the back, bilateral foot disorder, and bilateral knee disorder are all denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring an automobile or other conveyance with adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee meniscus tear and degenerative changes, left hip ischial tendinitis, and cervical spine degenerative changes. The veteran's claims are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for the veteran's service-connected low back injury, bilateral knee surgeries, right shoulder strain, and bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus. The decision also addressed an increase in dysthymia but did not assign a new rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left and right knee disorders are due to disease or injury incurred in service, with the benefit of doubt given to the veteran.

The Board has granted a higher rating for the veteran's right knee disability, but denied an increased evaluation for his left knee disability. The effective date issue will be addressed separately.

The veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of her service-connected right foot cyst excision scar, postoperative residuals of a hemorrhoidectomy, and right knee disorders were denied as she did not file timely substantive appeals.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back disability, left hip disability, left thumb disability, bilateral knee disability, multiple joint arthritis, residuals of multiple finger fractures, shingles, sleep apnea, hemorrhoids, and prostate disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right knee conditions, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's current left knee disability is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability warrants a 10 percent rating, as his symptoms do not meet or approximate criteria for higher ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for post-traumatic arthritis of the left knee, post-traumatic arthritis of the left knee (extension), and instability of the left knee.

The Board denied service connection for gout of the left knee and right knee, ankles, feet, elbows, and right wrist. The claim for a back disability was reopened due to new evidence showing current lumbar spine arthritis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, and bilateral knee disabilities. The claim for increased evaluation of lumbosacral strain was not addressed as it had already been resolved.

The Board found no evidence of chronic disabilities related to the veteran's claimed conditions during or after service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's post-operative residuals of a left knee injury, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for additional compensation related to arthritis or instability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a right knee condition or PTSD as a result of his service and denied both claims.

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

The Board denied service connection for right lower extremity length discrepancy, right knee disability, and lumbar spine disability as secondary to residuals of right ankle fracture with degenerative changes.