Knee decisions — 2008

The Board remands the claims for a new VA examination and to ensure compliance with VCAA requirements.

The veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance was denied because his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for such an allowance.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and hip disabilities, to include as secondary to a service-connected left fifth toe fracture, are being remanded for further development.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee and hip disability as there is no currently diagnosed condition.

The Board found that the veteran's current knee disorders were not related to his active service and were instead caused by post-service employment accidents.

The veteran's cervical spondylosis and lumbar spondylosis were granted increased ratings to 20 percent, while the other conditions remained at 10 percent.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for service connection of chronic left knee disability, low back disability, adrenal gland disorder, orthopedic disability manifested by multiple joint aches and pains, and chronic disability manifested by multiple muscle aches to the RO for additional development.

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

The veteran's left knee osteoarthritis has been manifested by pain, particularly on activity and after sitting for prolonged periods. No significant limitation of motion or instability was found.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, post-operative residuals of a dislocated left knee cap, and status post excision of a cyst in the left occipital skull area, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The application to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss was denied because new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the previously denied claim has not been received.

The Board granted a 30 percent schedular rating for stress fracture of the right tibia with right knee degenerative arthritis and a similar rating for the left leg, based on marked knee disability.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes and right ear hearing loss were denied, as was his request for an increased disability rating for migraine headaches. The effective date of the grant of an increased disability rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine remained November 27, 2000.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for right knee anterior cruciate ligament injury, and the claim was dismissed.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a meniscal tear of the left knee was remanded to schedule him for a new VA examination.

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

The veteran withdrew his appeal for several issues, and the remaining claims were denied or dismissed.

The veteran's left knee and low back disorders preexisted military service but were aggravated by active duty, leading to the granting of service connection for both conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, a bilateral ankle disorder, and major depressive disorder are being remanded for further development.