Knee decisions — 2007

The veteran's service connection claims for chronic headaches, left knee disability, Grave's disease, hypertension, and bilateral pes planus with right hallux deformity were granted. The initial ratings assigned are 20 percent for the left knee, 10 percent for Graves' disease, no rating for hypertension (as it is controlled by medication), and a compensable rating for bilateral pes planus and right hallux valgus.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected right knee disability with traumatic arthritis does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions of degenerative joint disease of the knees and COPD are not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board found no evidence of a direct medical nexus between military service and the veteran's current left knee condition, thus denying service connection for his claimed disability.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for residuals of degenerative joint disease of the right knee and pes anserinus bursitis due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence showing the veteran has any current left ear hearing loss, left knee condition, tinnitus, left hip condition, or left shoulder and arm condition that are related to service. Therefore, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and clarification of his knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of supporting medical records from Social Security Administration for the veteran's claim. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral knee injuries and lumbar spine degenerative disk disease, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims are denied.

The veteran's combined rating for his service-connected conditions is 70%, but the Board finds that he can still secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee condition, and low back condition. The veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, and the conditions are not considered related to his military service.

The veteran is entitled to special mode transportation due to his service-connected disabilities and medical necessity.

The veteran's service does not meet the threshold eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to lack of qualifying service. The claims for service connection for low back disorder, left knee strain, and migraine headaches with blackouts are denied as there is no evidence that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death. The cause of death was listed as cerebrovascular accident, but there is no evidence linking this condition to any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development and clarification of his allegations, including verification of in-service stressors related to PTSD. The claims are also being remanded to determine whether any current back disorder is related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, low back disability, degenerative joint disease of the knees, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The appeals were based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or secondary to another condition.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The VA has granted service connection and assigned noncompensable disability ratings to his right knee disorder and left ankle disorder.,The veteran was granted service connection for patellofemoral syndrome with spurring posterior patella of the right knee, but no compensable rating is warranted due to lack of evidence of malunion or nonunion of the tibia and fibula. The VA has also granted service connection for patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative space narrowing of the left knee.,The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. He was granted service connection for patellofemoral syndrome with spurring posterior patella of the right knee, but no compensable rating is warranted due to lack of evidence of malunion or nonunion of the tibia and fibula.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected right knee and PTSD, as well as a compensable evaluation for his laceration scar, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on instability or limitation of motion.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to inadequate VCAA notification and the veteran's request for a personal hearing.

The veteran's service-connected gunshot wound of the left knee is currently rated at 10 percent, and a separate rating for a scar as a residual of the injury has been granted. The RO has now increased the rating to 20 percent.