Knee decisions — 2007

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot condition and a left leg (knee) condition, finding no evidence of current disabilities related to her in-service injuries.

The Board has determined that the September 1986 rating decision denying service connection for a left knee disorder is final. New and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral knee and foot disorders do not meet the criteria for assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment. The case is REMANDED for a VA examination to determine if she meets the criteria for adaptive equipment eligibility.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability related to his period of active duty service for any of the conditions he is seeking service connection for, including left and right knee injuries, left and right ankle injuries, hepatitis, head injury, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Board has also determined that there is no evidence of a nexus between these disabilities and his period of active duty.

The Board found no evidence of a bilateral knee disorder or mild degenerative arthritis of the hips that is etiologically related to service, including as secondary to service-connected back disability.,The veteran's low back disorder has been rated at 40 percent since June 1998.

The Board found that the veteran's osteoarthritis, left knee did not manifest in service or within one year of separation and could not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for multiple joint arthritis, PUD, and Scheuermann's disease. The claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence showing the veteran currently has a right knee, left knee or right shoulder disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, including his ACL tear and other injuries sustained in December 2003, is not due to service-connected conditions. Therefore, an increased rating for osteocondritis dissecans of the right knee cannot be granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for cyst on buttocks, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral pes planus. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional consideration due to the submission of new evidence in April 2005. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining all relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a Gulf War illness C&P examination. The issues of service connection for bilateral knee disability, bilateral elbow disability, and chronic fatigue syndrome are pending.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right knee arthritis, torn cartilage in the right knee, and right hip injury residuals. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for right ilioinguinal neuralgia was found to be untimely.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left knee and back disabilities. As a result, the claim for service connection for a right knee disability is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the veteran's current knee disabilities are related to his active duty service. The case will be returned for further review.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee stress fractures, finding no evidence of current disabilities related to his in-service injuries and concluding that any current conditions are unrelated to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for his daily personal needs without assistance from others and unable to protect himself from the hazards of daily living, qualifying him for special monthly compensation on account of a need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting Osgood Schlatter's disease of the left knee existed before service and was not aggravated by active service. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hip avascular necrosis and a bilateral knee disability, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected shell fragment wounds. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that a combined rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee disability is not warranted based on the evidence showing mild instability and arthritis with painful motion.