Knee decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated during service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral knee condition and residuals of decompression sickness are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has granted service connection for DJD in both knees and assigned two initial 10 percent ratings effective November 1, 1996. The veteran seeks higher initial ratings for each knee.

The Board found that the veteran's DJD of the right knee did not meet criteria for a higher rating prior to November 12, 2004.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed knee and ankle disabilities are not related to his active service, and thus denied these claims.

The Board finds that the veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease is likely due to a knee injury sustained during military service.,There is no evidence of an ear fungus in service, and the veteran does not have any current ear disorder related to a claimed ear fungus.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new VA examination.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 and his total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease, may be attributed to his active service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, migraine headaches, and hypertension. The forehead scar was rated but not granted a compensable rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and dizziness, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral knee disability, but denied service connection for a headache disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee impairment/instability and headaches, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.,The veteran was currently receiving the highest schedular rating for his left knee based on instability.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities do not warrant higher evaluations, as they do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for right and left retropatellar pain syndrome prior to September 30, 2004.

The veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the left foot and right knee, as well as increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar and cervical spines, were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a left knee disorder, but additional development is required to determine if the underlying claim should be granted or denied. The veteran's right knee disorder continues to be rated at 20 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral leg disability, right shoulder disability, and left knee scar due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to assess the severity of the veteran's low back disorder and right knee disorder. The RO/AMC will also ensure proper VCAA notice has been provided.