Knee decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his right shoulder and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and right knee disabilities, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for post-operative residuals of a bayonet wound to the left knee prior to October 29, 2004 was denied. The RO granted him a higher evaluation of 30 percent effective from that date.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, left knee disorder, and low back disorder due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD or a left knee disability that can be linked to his military service. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board found that the appellant's osteosarcoma of the left femur pre-existed his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) from April 24, 1992 to May 8, 1992. The examiner opined that the tumor likely first became symptomatic during this period but was present prior to it. Therefore, service connection is denied as there is no evidence of aggravation or increase in severity during ACDUTRA.

The Board has determined that the veteran's osteoarthritis of the left knee is service-connected, and his right knee disorder and bilateral foot pain are not service-connected.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board found that the appellant's right knee muscle disorder and osteoarthritis were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed to have been so incurred. The appeal was withdrawn for the issues of entitlement to service connection for a blood clotting disorder and a skin rash condition.

The veteran's left femur osteomyelitis residuals and right leg venous insufficiency are rated at the maximum allowable under VA rating criteria, with no further increase in ratings granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current rating for total right knee replacement is appropriate and denied a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left wrist and right knee disabilities were denied. The initial evaluations of 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively, are not supported by the evidence.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VCAA notice and consideration of new evidence.

The Board determined that the veteran's reported injuries to his knees in service did not result in current disabilities, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied, while the claim for Paragraph 30 benefits following left knee arthroscopy was granted through April 18, 2005.

The veteran's headaches are due to an undiagnosed illness that was incurred in service.,The currently demonstrated lumbosacral strain is shown as likely as not to be due to injury suffered during the veteran's period of service.

The VA denied increased evaluations for traumatic arthritis of the right knee with limitations on flexion, instability, and extension. The veteran's conditions are rated at 10%.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee injury with traumatic arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an orthopedic examination.