Knee decisions — 2007

The veteran's appeal involves his left knee disability, which was previously rated at 20 percent prior to February 4, 2004 and at 30 percent beginning April 1, 2005. The Board has determined that the current evidence does not support a rating in excess of these levels.

The veteran's service-connected left knee disability has been manifested by a torn medial meniscus, pain on motion, swelling, chondromalacia, and degenerative joint disease without limitation of flexion or extension. The Board concludes that the criteria for an initial evaluation greater than 20 percent are not met during any portion of the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current chronic left knee disorder, right knee disorder, or tinnitus disability. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and mild lumbar strain. However, it was not established that these conditions were aggravated by military service or related to any in-service event.

The Board found no evidence of pneumonia in service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.,There is no evidence of arthritis of the right knee in service or within a year after separation, nor was there any competent evidence linking current right knee disability to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his active military service.

The Board denied all issues, finding that the evidence did not warrant an increase in rating or reopening of any previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a bilateral ankle condition or a bilateral knee condition that was present in service, manifested within one year of service separation, or is otherwise related to service. The claim for hypertension remains pending as it requires further development prior to adjudication.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, including patellofemoral pain syndrome, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability and service connection for a head injury. The veteran is not entitled to service connection for a head injury as there is no evidence of such in-service or post-service, and any current symptoms are more likely due to a work-related accident.

The veteran's claims for VA compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 and special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate were denied due to lack of additional disability caused by VA treatment in January 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the reopening of the claim for service connection for a right knee condition secondary to service-connected left knee disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for the veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of both knees, finding that the evidence did not show a marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization due to these disabilities.

The veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for an orthopedic examination to determine if he had a pre-existing right knee disability prior to service and whether it was aggravated during basic training.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and low back disabilities, as well as service connection for bilateral hip and right ankle disabilities. The decisions were based on the lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying whether the veteran had Type I or Type II diabetes mellitus. The specialist should determine if the veteran's diabetes contributed to his death.

The veteran's appeal for increased evaluations and a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied. The left knee disorder is rated as 30 percent disabling, hypertension as 10 percent disabling, and coronary atherosclerosis as noncompensable.

The Board denied reopening the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of both knees as no new and material evidence was submitted.