Knee decisions — 2008

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including notice and an opportunity to respond regarding the veteran's fire-related service medical and personnel records.

The veteran's right knee disability has been evaluated, and the Board concluded that a 20 percent rating is warranted for status-post anterior cruciate repair, medial meniscus tear, right knee, but no higher. The evaluation of degenerative joint disease, traumatic, right knee, and limitation of extension of the right knee did not warrant increased ratings.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee, ankle, and shoulder disabilities as there was no evidence of a current disability.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the knees and denied higher initial ratings for degenerative disc disease, L4-L5 and Raynaud's phenomenon.

The veteran's bilateral tinnitus is related to military service.

The appeal is remanded for a new examination to assess the worsening of the veteran's knee disabilities and to provide adequate notice under Vazquez-Flores v. Peake.

The veteran's bilateral knee, left shoulder, right shoulder, right ankle, and left fifth toe disabilities were not related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for left and right knee disabilities, service connection for unexplained weight loss, special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the regular need of aid and attendance (A&A) or housebound status, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) were denied.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sinusitis, and loss of taste and smell as there was no evidence to support that these conditions were related to the veteran's active military service.

The veteran's postoperative residuals of a right ankle fracture were rated at 30 percent, and the ratings for right peroneal nerve neuropathy and calf muscle atrophy remained unchanged.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability, as there was no evidence of a current disability or that it was related to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The appeal is remanded to obtain additional evidence and provide the veteran with a VA examination.

The veteran's left ankle instability produces moderate foot injury, warranting a 10 percent rating.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was denied, but his claims to reopen service connection for a seizure disorder and left knee degenerative joint disease were successful.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic right knee disability, pes planus (flat feet), and increased evaluations for headaches, degenerative changes of the right foot with heel spurs, and degenerative changes of the left foot with heel spurs.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraines, pain syndrome of the right and left knees, and bilateral pes planus were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, anterior cruciate ligament strain of the right knee, and medial collateral ligament strain of the left knee as there was no evidence that these conditions were related to her military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, a bilateral shoulder disability, and PTSD were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and ensure the examination is adequate.

The Board remands the case for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the veteran's left knee and bilateral foot disorders.