Knee decisions — 2008

The reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a right knee injury was not proper, and the 20 percent rating is restored.

The veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, migraine headaches, chin and head injury, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression), and residuals of a right hand 5th metacarpal fracture were denied.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder, to include as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability, is reopened.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the low back and knees, as well as increased ratings for prostatitis and epididymitis, tinea versicolor, tinea pedis, and tinea cruris, a shell fragment wound to the left shoulder and upper back, a shell fragment wound scar of the upper left arm, and a right inguinal hernia. The veteran was granted special monthly compensation based on being housebound.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable rating, and his right knee disability does not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent. Service connection for blurry vision is precluded by governing regulations.

The veteran's tinnitus was related to noise exposure in service.

The veteran's hypothyroidism, hiatal hernia, and migraine headaches do not meet the criteria for higher ratings. An ulnar nerve compression disorder was not related to service.

The veteran's right knee arthritis was rated at 20 percent, and the residuals of his right ankle injury were not rated in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition was remanded for further development, including a medical examination and opinion.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and consideration of the veteran's claims.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings were remanded to the RO for further development.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and osteoarthritis of the knees to the RO for additional development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability and back disability, as there was no evidence to support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a back injury and bilateral knee/leg disorder as there was no evidence of current disabilities.

The claim for a compensable evaluation for Osgood-Schlatter disease of the left knee was remanded for additional action.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected residuals of a left ankle sprain were denied due to the veteran's failure to report for VA examination without good cause.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability and to reopen his claim for a left knee disability were remanded for additional development.

The appeal is remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction for further development and readjudication.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed current left and right knee disorders are not a result of an established event, injury, or disease during active service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and a bilateral knee disorder, to include arthritis, were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities that meet VA compensation standards.