Knee decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not support higher evaluations for his service-connected conditions.

The veteran was granted a 40 percent rating for right knee DJD from September 12, 2005 to September 10, 2007, but the claims for higher ratings prior and after this period were denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder was denied as the evidence did not show that his currently diagnosed degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees was due to an event or incident during active service, and it was also not first manifest within one year following service.

The appeal is remanded to obtain additional medical records and possibly an examination.

The veteran's right knee disorder is service-connected as it began during his active duty service.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease and bilateral knee chondromalacia were denied as the evidence did not support a rating higher than 10 percent or 30 percent, respectively.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disorder and a left ankle disorder based on the veteran's in-service injury.

The Board finds that the evidence supports finding that the veteran has arthritis of the right knee and arthritis of the right hip etiologically related to active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders as there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board remands the case to the agency of original jurisdiction for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left knee injury, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether some portion of the veteran's current left knee disability status post total arthroplasty is related to military service.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the award of service connection for a right knee disability.

The veteran's pre-existing right knee disability was not aggravated by military service, and a low back disability is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The Board granted service connection for right hip and right knee disorders, but denied service connection for a right leg disorder not involving the knee or hip, tinnitus, and a sleep disorder. The claim to reopen for a bilateral arm disorder was denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral knee injury and residuals, back injury. However, it has denied service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, right knee, right shoulder, and left shoulder disorders as there was no competent evidence establishing an etiological link between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's initial disability rating for peroneal palsy of the right knee, status post injury, was denied as it did not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded to the RO for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right, left knee conditions and low back condition as there was no competent medical evidence of a nexus between these current disabilities and his active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg and knee disability, as there was no evidence of a chronic condition following his separation from service.