Knee decisions — 2007

The veteran's bilateral foot amputations are not considered a qualifying additional disability under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to the lack of evidence showing that VA care, treatment, or examination caused his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the veteran's bilateral knee disabilities and any claimed hip disability. The claims will be readjudicated based on the additional evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran seeks compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a right below-the-knee amputation, which he contends is the result of VA surgical treatment in 1985. The case must be remanded to ensure compliance with VCAA and additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee degenerative changes with bony fragments are attributable to active service and grants service connection for this condition. The hearing loss disability is not related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen her previously denied claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of either knee, and therefore service connection for a bilateral knee disability is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder, arthritis of the left knee, and arthritis of the left hip as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the service-connected right knee disability, effective from November 2002. The veteran's claim for TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral knee and lumbosacral spine DJD are as likely as not related to service, including his reported in-service injuries. As a result, both claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and denied all claims for increased evaluations. The right knee arthritis is found to be productive of painful motion, warranting a separate 10 percent evaluation.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not show that his sarcoidosis required systemic high dose corticosteroids, and his lumbosacral strain was not severe enough to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left below-the-knee amputation is not attributable to a service-connected disease or injury, and specifically found that it was not caused by his service-connected varicose veins. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for residuals of right 5th metacarpal fracture, but denied service connection and increased ratings for the veteran's knees and coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information in the record, including missing VA medical records and a Social Security Administration (SSA) decision.

The VA denied service connection for a right ankle and foot disability, as well as bilateral knee disabilities. The veteran's right wrist condition was diagnosed but the claim is still pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a present left eye, right knee, or right shoulder disability as a result of service. The claims for increased ratings are also denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging examinations to address the veteran's claims.