Knee decisions — 2007

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for heart disease based on new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for vertigo and bilateral knee disorder are pending.,Service connection for heart disease is reopened, but the issue of whether it was incurred in or aggravated by active service remains unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and records to determine if the veteran's current knee disabilities and psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his service-connected knee and back disabilities, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the veteran's claims of service connection for arthritis of the right knee, left knee disability, ankle disability, or ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbar spine. The preponderance of the evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that additional efforts are needed to obtain the veteran's service medical records and other relevant post-service treatment records. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The veteran's multiple disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension on account of being housebound or in need of aid and attendance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including osteoarthritis of the right and left knees, chronic back strain, hip arthralgia, ankle fractures, hallux valgus, and a calcaneal spur, all secondary to her right knee disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for a left elbow disability as secondary to the veteran's service-connected left knee disability. The effective date of this grant is not addressed in the decision.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disorder existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to missing treatment records and a need for a VA examination.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbar segment of the spine prior to August 8, 2005 was denied.,The veteran's claim for increased evaluations for residuals of a right acromioclavicular separation from September 1, 1993, to September 10, 2001 and after September 10, 2001 and prior to August 8, 2005 was denied.,The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension on appeal from initial grant of service connection was denied.,The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hepatitis (including a hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux with history of a gallstone) on appeal from initial grant of service connection was denied.

The Board dismissed the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for chondromalacia of the right knee with osteoarthritis, as there was no basis in law for such a claim.

The Board has ordered a remand due to incomplete compliance with previous remands and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the onset of the veteran's knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as whether they are related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for VA payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical services due to a lack of evidence showing that his condition was such that immediate medical attention would have been hazardous.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right thigh disability and a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of right knee surgeries.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting left and right knee osteoarthrosis were aggravated by service from February 2003 to August 2004, and thus granted service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected left knee disorder is currently manifested by arthritis with pain and limited motion, but does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.