Knee decisions — 2007

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hearing loss in the left ear, finding that there was no new and material evidence to reopen his right knee disability claim. The right knee disability claim is also denied as there is insufficient evidence linking it to service.

The veteran's death was caused by accidental drowning, and his service-connected knee disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to the cause of death. The appellant is therefore denied entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and DEA benefits.

The veteran is seeking service connection for multiple joint and back disorders, claiming they are related to an accident during his military service in December 1972. The case has been remanded due to the submission of new evidence that requires further development.

The veteran's asthma, chloracne, and peripheral neuropathy were not found to be related to service. Service connection for these conditions was denied. The veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10%.

The veteran's claims for increased rating, reopening of a hearing loss claim, and service connection for left hip arthritis and knee arthritis were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's assertions that his current conditions are related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record and compliance with VCAA requirements.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his combined disability rating and lack of specific qualifying conditions.

The veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches was granted. The veteran received a compensable evaluation (10%) for her scars, status post breast reduction. She also received an increased initial evaluation of 10% for chondromalacia patella in the left knee and a 10% evaluation from February 25, 2005 onwards for chondromalacia patella in the right knee.

The veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bilateral hearing loss disability and post-operative left knee disabilities were denied. The veteran was granted service connection for his post-operative left knee disabilities, but the RO assigned noncompensable evaluations initially and later recharacterized them as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's left knee arthritis is service-connected and granted a 10% rating effective April 13, 2005.,Service connection for lumbar spine injury and cervical spine injury was denied. The veteran's pes planus disability remains non-compensably disabling.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the earliest opportunity.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left knee injury, finding no medical evidence to support a nexus between his current disability and military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for disorders of the right hip, bilateral knees, and low back. The medical evidence did not include current diagnoses with respect to these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent tinnitus, residuals of a left arm shrapnel wound, and arthritis as secondary to service-connected cold injuries due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for additional consideration of his claims due to new evidence from a recent surgery.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the bilateral wrists, knees, and shoulders as well as hypertension. The evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.,Regarding the veteran's claim to reopen his hearing loss claim, new and material evidence was found but service connection was still denied.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability, including arthritis and a total knee arthroplasty, was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied service connection for joint pain and a skin condition, finding no evidence of chronic disability due to an undiagnosed illness or direct service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disorder and a rash of the right arm with scar as a result of mustard gas exposure. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not addressed in this decision.