Knee decisions — 2007

The Board has reconsidered the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities. The evidence does not establish a nexus between any current knee disability and active military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, knee disability, leg disability, and hip disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee arthritis and a compensable initial disability rating for sinusitis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia and arthritis of the right and left knees were denied as his conditions did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board found no basis for a higher rating based on his symptoms and limitations.

The veteran's right below the knee amputation was caused by delayed treatment for a toenail infection, resulting in an ulcer that required amputation. The veteran is also service-connected for optic atrophy with cataract of the right eye, which has been rated as 40 percent disabling.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral patellofemoral syndrome of the knees has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records and further development of the claims.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee condition did not have its onset during service and is not related to any incident of service. The Board also found no evidence showing a link between his left knee condition and his now service-connected right knee disability. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's current right knee disability is at least as likely as not caused by an in-service injury, and to request updated VA and private treatment records.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability, finding that a 30 percent evaluation was most appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and determine the nature of his skin disorders, as well as their relationship to service. The claims will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disability and chest wall lipoma were not related to his military service, including any exposure to herbicides. As such, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board has found that none of the claimed conditions are related to service, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, but granted service connection for a headache due to an undiagnosed illness. The arthritis of the knees is not considered service-connected.

The case is being remanded for further development due to the veteran's total knee replacement surgery and additional medical records are needed.

The Board found no current diagnosed left knee disability and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's current left knee disability is not related to his in-service shell fragment wound, and arthritis was initially demonstrated years after service.