Knee decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for bilateral Achilles tendonitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis with calcaneal stress reaction, and right knee condition have been denied. The RO has assigned noncompensable ratings to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any current disabilities related to his service, and therefore, service connection is denied for head injury residuals, cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right hip disorder, and left hip disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and extent of the veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee disabilities do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating under Diagnostic Code 5257, and thus denied his claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss or left knee disability related to service. For his right hip disability, there is no evidence of causation or aggravation by a service-connected condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to lack of evidence showing a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee conditions, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or X-ray findings.

The veteran's death was not considered service-connected under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 because he did not have a 100% disability rating for at least 10 years prior to his death.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not meet the schedular criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's spine disorder, right knee disorder, and depression were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for the veteran's left knee disability, effective August 5, 2005. The condition is rated as severe with significant limitation of motion and weakness.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed left knee disorder did not manifest during service or within one year post-discharge, and is unrelated to any in-service events. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's temporary total convalescent rating is extended through September 30, 2005.

The Board has granted service connection for lichen simplex chronicus, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and patchy alopecia. The veteran's skin conditions are considered to be related to his active military service in Vietnam.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations. The increased rating claims are also being remanded.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected back disability, effective from when the increased evaluation was first considered. The claim for hematuria remains denied.

The VA has granted service connection for the veteran's left knee disability, but determined that a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted based on the current evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for allergies and for increased ratings for sinusitis with rhinitis and sinus headaches, as well as for a meniscal tear of the right knee. The appeals were based on his self-reported history of allergies that worsened during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to recent medical records and examinations.