Knee decisions — 2007

The Board denied the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for right leg disability as secondary to service-connected deformity of the second toe on the right foot, finding no new and material evidence. The claim for direct service connection was also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, finding no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the reopening of the claim for service connection for a right knee disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral knee disorder. The decision found that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim for a back disorder, and that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and a skin disorder (claimed as chloracne) are being remanded due to procedural errors in the previous decisions. The case will be reviewed again with proper VCAA notice, additional medical records obtained, and further examination conducted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee sprain and dismissed his claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left knee sprain. The veteran's representative withdrew the appeal for a higher initial rating.

The Board finds that the appellant is not a veteran and therefore does not meet the eligibility requirements for service-connected disability compensation or nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for left knee arthrotomy residuals, but the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee DJD is being remanded for further development.

The Board found that the veteran's postoperative left knee disability, which includes instability, warrants a 10 percent rating under Code 5259. The condition does not meet criteria for higher ratings based on ankylosis, recurrent subluxation, lateral instability, dislocated semilunar cartilage, limitation of flexion or extension, or impairment of the tibia and fibula.

The Board found no evidence of a right knee disorder being incurred or aggravated during service, and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for cold injury resulting in arthritis of the hands and knees, but denied it for the ankles, shoulders, and back due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back and left knee disorders are not related to service, including as secondary to his service-connected left foot disorder.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder, as there was no verified stressor or supporting clinical evidence. The veteran's claims of other conditions are not addressed in this decision.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain medical records. The issues of increased rating for right knee condition and hearing loss are still pending.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral knee disabilities due to withdrawal by the appellant. Service connection for tinnitus was denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection were generally granted, with some conditions being attributed to undiagnosed illnesses.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of head, back, and right knee injuries due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. Parkinson's disease was diagnosed but not linked to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left eye, left knee, and left hip disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence. The veteran's current conditions were not related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition and an increased rating for his left knee disability, finding insufficient evidence to support these claims.