Knee decisions — 2007

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, otitis media, allergies (sinusitis/rhinitis), shortening of the right leg, lower back pain, and arthritis of the right knee and hip. The appeals have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for right hand, left hand, and left knee disabilities are denied. The veteran's gastrointestinal symptoms have been attributed to known clinical diagnoses.

The veteran's service-connected right knee disability is causing or aggravating his left hip, left shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature of these secondary conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right knee disability and a higher effective date for service connection of migraine headaches. The veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating under either DC 5260 or DC 5261.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and bilateral hearing loss. As such, these claims are denied.

The veteran's combined disability evaluation has increased, and he was awarded service connection for two new disabilities. A VA examination is needed to determine if the veteran can secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the right knee disability pre-existed service. The Board denied both claims for higher ratings.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for his service-connected right knee chondromalacia is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disabilities, but rather by alcohol intoxication. The cause of death is therefore denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral knee condition, finding no evidence of a causal connection to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to cause his death, and therefore grants service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the veteran's claims, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling appropriate VA examinations.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development of VA treatment records.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for asthma and right knee disability were denied. The VA determined that the veteran's asthma did not meet criteria warranting a higher than 30 percent rating, while his right knee disability was found to be adequately rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected total knee replacements of the left and right knees have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and re-adjudication due to a change in the hearing officer.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, and right ankle disability. The preexisting conditions were not shown to be aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder, right ankle disorder, and right knee disorder are all service-connected as they were incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for left knee patellofemoral syndrome, finding that the disability manifested by pain and tenderness with no more than slight limitation of motion.