Knee decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the appellant's service-connected skin condition and left knee disability require an annual clothing allowance due to damage caused by prescribed medications or prosthetic devices.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for osteochondritis dissecans, right knee and his claim for annual clothing allowance. The veteran is currently rated at 20% for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition secondary to his service-connected left knee disability and an increased rating for his left knee disability. The denial of these claims is based on the lack of evidence supporting the requested benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee with osteoarthritis, but denied a higher initial evaluation.

The veteran is not entitled to an effective date earlier than August 29, 2002 for the grant of service connection for right knee traumatic arthritis.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic disease processes manifested by bilateral hip, neck, and low back pain due to pes planus. The claim for service connection for right knee disorder secondary to pes planus is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for further examination.

The veteran's claimed conditions, including weight loss and degenerative arthritis of the right knee with torn medial meniscus, were not found to be service-connected.

The Board found that the veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions attributable to his period of military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for certificates of eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring specially adaptive housing and special home adaptation grants due to lack of entitlement based on service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted an increased rating of 40 percent for the veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, but denied a higher evaluation for his right knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for obesity, degenerative joint disease of both knees, and a psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not warrant a rating in excess of those currently assigned.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his lower back disability, service connection for hypertension secondary to arthritis pain, and service connection for right knee and shoulder disabilities. The reasons are provided within the decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability does not warrant a higher rating based on the criteria provided in the rating schedule. The evidence does not support ankylosis, severe recurrent subluxation or lateral instability of the knee, limitation of flexion to 15 degrees, or limitation of extension to 20 degrees.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claims for service connection of a low back disorder and bilateral knee pain, but has denied these claims on the merits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the knees, hips, and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by her military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus, lower back disability, and left knee disability were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA regulations.

The veteran withdrew all his claims on appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain his service medical records and VA treatment records. The Board will also schedule examinations to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of his claimed disabilities.