Knee decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee injuries and right inguinal hernia are not service-connected, resulting in a denial of both claims.

The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine if the veteran's right knee disability is related to his service-connected left knee disability. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability, which includes arthroscopic surgery with traumatic arthritis, warrants a separate rating of 10 percent due to painful motion and x-ray evidence of arthritis. The maximum rating under DC 5259 is already assigned.

The veteran's low back disorder is service-connected as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to have contributed to the amputation of his right leg above the knee.,The veteran meets criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment due to loss of one foot.,Special monthly compensation based on anatomical loss of one foot is granted.,Temporary total rating for convalescence period following surgery resulting from service-connected disabilities is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current sinus, left knee, or left shoulder disorders for which service connection can be granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran was not involved in a plane crash while in service, and therefore, his claims for chest pain, bilateral knee disorder, head injury, breathing problems, dental trauma, scars of the head, face, knee, and ears, hepatitis A, fracture of nose, digestive disorder, scarring of lung, and post-traumatic stress disorder are all denied.,The veteran's service medical records do not show any mention of a plane crash or other traumatic injury. The separation examination did not indicate any chronic conditions related to the claimed disabilities.

The veteran's appeals for increased evaluations have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal with respect to these issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disorder was not incurred in service and arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and back disabilities, finding that the evidence did not warrant an increase in rating from January 6, 1989 or April 9, 1992.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment, given his education and prior work experience.

The veteran's initial claims for increased evaluations of her left knee disability were denied. The RO awarded a temporary total rating for her left knee disability from October 29, 2001 to February 28, 2003.

The Board denied service connection for several conditions, including a right knee condition, left knee condition, skin condition of the heels, feet, and toes, right wrist condition, left shoulder condition, and arthritic gout of the left foot.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee, finding no evidence linking this condition to his military service.

The veteran's GERD, hiatal hernia, and peptic ulcer disease are granted at a 30% rating effective April 1, 2001. The left knee disorder is not service-connected. The evaluation for the status post fracture of the left ankle remains at 10%. The sinusitis condition is granted at a 10% rating. Service connection for anemia was denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, nor does he meet the criteria for being permanently housebound. The claim is denied.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and an increased rating for her low back syndrome. The left knee disability is found to be secondary to her service-connected left ankle disability, while the low back syndrome warrants a 10 percent rating based on its symptoms.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the likely etiology of his claimed migraine headaches and arthritis. The RO must also consider all additional evidence added to the record in November 2006.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a circulatory disorder of the left leg, increased rating for a left knee disorder, and increased rating for a left foot disorder were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and potential SSA disability benefits records.