Knee decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and knee disabilities are being remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a left elbow disability, left knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, and pulmonary disorder (claimed as emphysema) due to in-service asbestos exposure.

The appeal is remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the veteran's left knee disability.

The veteran's left knee and right knee conditions do not warrant a compensable rating, while his eczema warrants a 10 percent evaluation from October 31, 2007.

The veteran's initial evaluation for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for a left knee disability are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a headache disorder, bilateral pes planus, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and pseudofolliculitis barbae as there is no evidence of chronic residuals or current disability related to these conditions.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based upon the need of regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound was denied as he did not meet the criteria.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, lumbar spine disability and bilateral hearing loss were denied as the evidence did not show that he currently had these disabilities.

The appeal is remanded for further procedural development to ensure compliance with Vazquez-Flores v. Peake, No. 05-0355 (U.S. Vet. App. January 30, 2008).

The veteran is entitled to a 20 percent rating for his right knee disability, and service connection has been established for hepatitis C.,Service connection was granted for the veteran's hepatitis C based on evidence of a link between the condition and his period of active duty.

The Board denied service connection for major depression and a right knee disorder, as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's period of active service. The claims for a right eye disorder, cluster headaches, and tinnitus were remanded for further development.

The appeal is remanded to obtain additional evidence and ensure compliance with VA's duty to assist the veteran in substantiating his claim for service connection for a right knee disability.

The veteran is granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance, but denied SMC based on being housebound.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current right knee, left knee, right ankle or left ankle disabilities.

The appeal was remanded for additional development of the evidence, and the case must be returned to the AMC for appropriate consideration.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for the right knee and for service connection for the left knee and back, secondary to the right knee, for additional development.

The appeal was dismissed due to the veteran's death.

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

The appeal was denied for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a compensable evaluation for residuals of left knee injury. The effective date for the service-connected left knee condition is February 8, 2005.