Knee decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, except for a 30% rating for her left knee disability effective June 28, 2002. The decision also addressed other issues such as new evidence to reopen right knee disability claim, low back disability, left foot disability, gastritis, dysthymic disorder, and TDIU.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with the right shoulder and TMJ disabilities receiving a higher rating from March 15, 2005. The right knee strain received a compensable rating.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disorders as there was no evidence of a chronic disability during or immediately after service, and the current symptoms are not related to service.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for increased ratings and secondary service connection, with a rating of 10 percent for his right tibia and fibula disability. The left knee and low back disabilities are also considered secondary to the right tibia and fibula disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and readjudication.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for left leg problems and cardiovascular disease due to additional evidence received after the issuance of the SOC.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding his left knee disorder and residual scar.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing and further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a right or left knee disorder and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for osteoarthritis of both knees, which he claims was caused by parachute jumps during his military service. The VA has requested the veteran's service medical records but they were destroyed in a fire at the National Personnel Records Center. A VA examination will be scheduled to determine if there is a link between the veteran's current osteoarthritis and his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic low back pain with degenerative joint disease, bilateral shoulder disability, right knee disability, right leg disability, and skin disorder due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran claims his right knee disability was incurred in service. The VA has not obtained all of the requested medical records and will need to do so before deciding his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his lumbosacral strain, nonunion fracture of the right scaphoid, patellofemoral syndrome of both knees, and psoriasis. The RO found that these conditions did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and right knee disabilities are being remanded to allow for further development, including a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for VA examinations and compliance with duty-to-assist requirements.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, but denied them on the merits.

The Board denied increased evaluations for chronic subluxation of the right knee and degenerative arthritis of the right knee, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and right knee disabilities due to incomplete notice of applicable law, failure to consider all evidence, and need for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any current disabilities related to his service-connected fractured nasal bone. For his lumbar spine, shoulder, and knee conditions, the evidence does not support a finding of in-service disease or injury. Therefore, these claims are denied.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disability, to include degenerative arthritis, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied the claim.