Knee decisions — 2008

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including confirming the veteran's period of active service and obtaining any available records from a chiropractor. The veteran should be examined to determine if his current disabilities are related to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found that the veteran did not have a current disability for hearing loss, residuals of a left hamstring strain, contact dermatitis, periodontal disease, or a strain of the left knee muscle. Hemorrhoids and vision loss (myopia and astigmatism) are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for VA compensation.,The veteran's claim for high cholesterol was withdrawn prior to decision.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for back and right knee disorders due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran seeks compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a left knee disorder allegedly incurred or aggravated while participating in a VA compensated work therapy program on June 10, 2002. The Board has determined that there is evidence both supporting and opposing the claim, resulting in a mixed decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder and degenerative arthritis of multiple joints are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The veteran's appeal was granted, with a 20% disability rating for post-operative residuals of temporomandibular joint dysfunction from August 18, 2004. The other claims were either denied or not addressed in the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's left knee arthritis, status post left knee replacement, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service duties.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that no valid claim was filed prior to February 5, 2003.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining verification of the veteran's service and any available medical records. A VA examination will also be arranged to assess the current severity of his right knee disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, left knee condition, headache disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The veteran's right knee condition is currently rated at 20 percent, and the issues of service connection for hypertension and high cholesterol are still pending. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating for his right knee condition remains unresolved.

The veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The effective date of his 100% rating for major depressive disorder is February 6, 2006.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to NSC pension effective October 4, 2004, based on his total disability due to multiple service-connected disabilities. The effective date was granted as it is the earliest possible date when the record showed the criteria for NSC pension were met.

The veteran's non-service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance. However, he meets the requirements for housebound status due to his age and multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disorder, degenerative joint disease of the spine, hips, and knees, all claimed as secondary to service-connected pes planus.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for degenerative changes of the left knee, finding no evidence to support an increased rating. The skin disorder claim was denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking current skin conditions to service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has granted service connection for hip arthralgia as due to an undiagnosed illness incurred during the veteran's Gulf War service, but denied service connection for multiple joint pain of the shoulders and knees.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left leg/knee, back, and bilateral shoulder disabilities as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.