Knee decisions — 2007

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability and assigned a 20 percent rating effective as of January 4, 2005. The claim for increased rating for left knee instability was also granted with the same effective date.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability and low back strain, finding that the evidence does not support higher evaluations under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disorder pre-existed service and did not increase in severity during service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected osteochondritis dissecans of the left leg, with left knee disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining the veteran's service medical and personnel records for his claimed second period of active duty (from September 1950 to July 1951), as well as updated private and VA treatment records. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with arthritis, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 20 percent for lumbar strain effective April 29, 2005. The veteran's right hip strain and knee instability are rated at the maximum available under VA regulations.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including providing the appropriate notice regarding service connection for PTSD due to personal assault and obtaining medical records from Oak Knoll Naval Hospital. A VA examination is also needed to determine if the veteran has a current psychiatric disorder related to her in-service sexual assault and if she currently suffers from bilateral knee disability that is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including clarification of SSA benefits and a VA examination to determine the nature, severity, and etiology of the veteran's claimed musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for right hip disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and back disorder. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD was granted to 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are not service connected as secondary to his service-connected residuals of right foot injury. However, he is granted an initial increased evaluation for his right foot disability from February 20, 2004.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD, a bilateral knee condition, and a back condition. The veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and asthma. The evidence submitted since the previous decisions did not provide new or material evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected left total knee arthroplasty (left knee disability) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service medical records are incomplete and requests for additional records have been made. The claim will be remanded to allow for further development, including obtaining Oklahoma National Guard service medical records.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an abdominal hernia, low back disability, and bilateral knee disability. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that any current disabilities are related to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis to the knees does not meet the criteria for vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31 of Title 38, as there is no evidence of an employment handicap.

The VA determined that there is no medical evidence linking the veteran's right knee injury to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Gulf War Syndrome, bilateral knee pain, low back pain, joint pain, chest pain, and abdominal pain. The evidence did not support a finding of chronic disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the claimed disabilities, including residuals of a head injury other than psychiatric disability and migraine headaches, residuals of a right leg injury, and residuals of a right knee injury.