Knee decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the case should be remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to assess the current severity of the veteran's disabilities.

The veteran's request for a higher rating for his right knee disability was granted, with the effective date being January 14, 2004. The veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for this condition from that date until December 26, 2005.

The Board has found new and material evidence to have been received, allowing the claim of service connection for a left knee disorder as secondary to the service-connected right knee disorder to be reopened. However, additional development is required to address the merits of the underlying service connection claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for right knee arthritis. The claim is granted.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's right knee strain, status post microscopic surgery.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, as his combined rating of 80% meets the schedular requirements for consideration. The evidence supports his claim with conflicting opinions from a VA vocational rehabilitation counselor and a September 2005 VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding whether the veteran currently has a left knee disability and if any such disability is related to service. A VA examination will be conducted to determine these issues.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the bilateral knees and secondary service connection for hemorrhage of the stomach (claimed as secondary to arthritis of the bilateral knees). The veteran's claim was not reopened, and there is no evidence showing a current disability related to service.

The Board denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for right knee instability prior to August 29, 2006 and other service-connected disabilities. The veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability, manifested by degenerative arthritis with flexion to 130 degrees and extension to 0 degrees, warrants a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are related to an injury sustained during boot camp in 1966, and service connection is granted for both left and right knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including basal cell carcinoma of the left ear and arthritis in multiple joints. The decision also denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the right shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosed disability of any claimed conditions, and thus service connection cannot be granted for these issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability is incurred in service, while his right knee disability was not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine if the veteran's pre-existing bilateral knee disorder was aggravated by service, and whether it existed prior to enlistment.

The Board found no evidence of chronic sinusitis, bilateral knee disability, postural hypertension, or back disability during service. The veteran's single episode of sinusitis was acute and resolved without chronicity. Service connection is denied for all issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, including instability and arthritis, warrants a rating of 20 percent. A separate evaluation of 10 percent is granted for his right knee arthritis.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, hip, shoulder, and ankle disorders. However, further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service or any other relevant factors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee condition is not yet ready for final decision and requires additional development, including obtaining medical records from private healthcare providers.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of bilateral hearing loss and service connection for degenerative arthritis of the knees are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.