Knee decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to undiagnosed illnesses.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current right knee disorder, and the left knee disability did not meet criteria for higher evaluations prior to or from November 2004. Headaches, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of the left hand were also evaluated without meeting criteria for increased ratings.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension by reason of regular aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum from the VA examiner regarding the etiology of the veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as to allow for a private physician's opinion on this issue.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for right ankle and right knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the veteran's right knee disability and service connection for depression. The appeals to reopen final disallowed claims for hypertension and right thumb deformity were also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a respiratory disability, low back disability or arthritis of the hands, wrists and knees due to service. The claims are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, peripheral neuropathy, and hepatitis C. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a left knee disorder, and that the veteran's current conditions were not related to his active service.

The VA denied an increased rating for a Baker's cyst of the left knee, finding that the condition is manifested by a nontender and painless scar with no functional limitations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, low back disability, and bilateral knee disabilities secondary to residuals of left ankle sprain. The reasons were that there was no evidence showing these conditions were caused or worsened by his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee and denied service connection for a right knee disorder and bilateral foot pain.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for his knee disabilities and initial compensable evaluations for thoracic strain and recurrent headaches are denied. The claim for service connection for hypertension is remanded to the RO.,No substantive appeal was filed on the issues of entitlement to initial compensable evaluations for thoracic strain and recurrent headaches, or service connection for hypertension.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis, was incurred during active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for instability as a residual of a left knee meniscus tear and limited extension due to arthritis, finding that his disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board finds that the evidence does not support service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including a kidney disorder.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected arthritis of the left knee, effective from January 30, 2007. The issue of an earlier effective date remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA medical records and a need for an additional examination.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for sickle cell anemia was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision. The issues of entitlement to higher initial evaluations for left knee chondromalacia and residuals of a left ankle sprain with arthritis are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for left knee chondromalacia and service connection for hearing loss and a right knee disability, finding that his claim for an increased rating did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a disability for VA purposes.,Service connection for bilateral pterygium and the residuals of a left knee injury is not granted as there is no current diagnosis or treatment records provided by the veteran.