Knee decisions — 2007

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed back, bilateral ankle, bilateral knee, and left hip disorders.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between any current disabilities and service.

The veteran's right knee disability, including instability, is rated at 20 percent. The original claim for service connection remains in effect.

The veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss was not aggravated by active military service.,There is no evidence of chronic residuals of frostbite of the feet during or after his period of active military service.

The case is being remanded for a Board hearing at the RO to address the initial evaluations for right and left knee disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right arm/elbow, right leg, and right hip disabilities are denied. The cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right shoulder disabilities were established prior to service and are not considered incurred in or aggravated by service. Service connection is granted for the skin disability and right knee disability as they were established prior to service. Hypertension was not present during service or within one year of separation.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a right knee injury, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The RO granted a combined rating of 20 percent for right knee arthritis and instability, effective May 21, 2004. The veteran's appeal remains viable as he seeks the maximum possible rating.

The Board has determined that the October 1969 rating decision denying service connection for aggravation of a left knee disability was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disorder is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left knee disability. The claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability is also denied as there is no evidence showing that it has worsened beyond its current level.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling examinations and obtaining medical records. The case will be reviewed to determine if staged ratings are warranted for the cervical spine.

The Board found that the veteran's current disabilities are due to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident during service, which was caused by his willful misconduct. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability warrants a 30 percent rating, which is the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 5257. The claim for an increased rating is granted.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his low back and knee conditions were denied. The RO confirmed the existing ratings, with no changes in evaluation.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the veteran's service-connected pes planus valgus with calcaneal fat pad syndrome and denied his claims for other disabilities, including refractive error, adjustment disorder, ankle disorders, shin disorders, knee disorders, hip disorders, low back disorders, and hemorrhoids.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling an orthopedic examination and addressing his claim of increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder with headaches.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's left knee disability, which is currently rated at 20 percent. The evidence shows degenerative joint disease with limited flexion and pain.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left ankle and knee disabilities were denied. The current ratings of 20 percent for the left ankle and 30 percent for the left knee are found to be appropriate based on the evidence.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have residuals of rheumatic fever, to include rheumatic heart disease, attributable to his active service.,There is no evidence showing a link between the veteran's active service and any current bilateral knee disability.