Knee decisions — 2008

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing right knee disability did not undergo an increase in severity during service and was not related to his active duty.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and found that the veteran's bilateral weak foot syndrome was characterized by pain and weakness, with increased pain upon walking and standing. A rating greater than 10 percent for bilateral weak foot was also denied.

The Board remanded the case for additional development to address the inadequacies in the previous decision regarding service connection for a right knee disorder.

The veteran's right foot disability was rated at 30 percent, while his right elbow and left knee disabilities did not meet higher ratings.

The veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating or establish service connection.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and readjudication of the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and low back disability.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence indicates that the veteran's current right knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of entitlement to higher ratings based on the criteria provided by the applicable rating codes.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied, with the exception of a grant of service connection for GERD and arthritis in both knees.

The veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids and left knee disorder were denied an initial compensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia of both knees, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and to reopen a claim of service connection for hearing loss, as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and a higher rating for his right knee disability.

The case is remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and clarifying the veteran's representation.

The Board denied the attorney's request for additional fees based on a decision of April 22, 2004 and May 20, 2004, as the criteria were not met.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, to include arthritis, as there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or continuity of symptomatology since service, and no competent evidence linking his current knee conditions to his military service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's status-post laminectomy at L5-S1, as the evidence did not show forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least four weeks during the appeal period.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a bilateral knee disability was denied as there was no pending claim prior to December 6, 2001.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a right knee disorder were remanded to obtain additional evidence regarding complaints or treatments immediately following his discharge from active service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including knee problems, neck pain, shoulder injury, and back condition, are being remanded for further development.