Knee decisions — 2007

The veteran seeks service connection for various hip, knee, shoulder, and back disabilities. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate his claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for lumbosacral strain and restoration of a 20 percent rating for his service-connected left knee disability. The reduction in the left knee evaluation was found to be proper based on improvement noted after surgery.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of hepatitis, residuals of frostbite, and degenerative arthritis of the knees due to lack of evidence showing a current disability related to military service.

The veteran's left knee replacement surgery was related to his service-connected disability, and he is entitled to a 100% rating for one year following the surgery.

The veteran's service records do not show any complaints or diagnoses of arthritis in either knee or foot. The claimed degenerative joint disease was first diagnosed many years after separation from service.,Hypertension was also first diagnosed many years after separation from service and is not related to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, as well as his right hand disability and hypertension. The veteran is not entitled to a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grants due to his inability to use a prosthesis and pain from right hip and shoulder conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of residuals from the veteran's knee and ankle injuries, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred on May 22, 2004 at a non-VA hospital was denied because the Board found that a prudent layperson would not have reasonably viewed the visit as an emergency or thought a delay would be hazardous to life or health.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting left knee condition did not worsen during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the claimed low back, bilateral knee, and bilateral leg disabilities.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not blind in both eyes, does not require nursing home care due to mental or physical incapacity, and her disabilities do not necessitate regular aid and attendance of another person on a regular basis. The appellant's conditions are deemed insufficient for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The veteran's claims for increased rating of his left knee disability and service connection for a low back condition and fibromyalgia are being remanded due to procedural issues.

The veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations of his right knee disability and low back strain have been granted. The effective dates are not specified.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral flat feet, knee disability, hip disability and low back disability, were not incurred or aggravated during active duty service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral knee disability, including arthritis of the right knee, is not related to military service and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a low back or bilateral knee disorder, and thus service connection cannot be granted for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for postoperative residuals of right lateral meniscectomy or degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and there was no basis to grant an earlier effective date.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's post-operative total left knee arthroplasty to his military service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's right knee disorder, effective from November 17, 2005. The left knee disorder is rated at 20 percent since March 24, 2005. Service connection for a low back disorder remains unresolved.