Knee decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of pneumonia or a right knee disorder related to service and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, headaches, and low back disabilities. The evidence submitted since the last denial does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate any of these claims.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for non-service-connected disability pension benefits because his service was less than 90 days during a period of war, and he did not meet the threshold eligibility requirements. The left knee chondromalacia was found to have pre-existed service and did not increase in severity due to service.

The VA denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, finding that the conditions did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion or other diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service records, and it is unclear if the veteran's knee disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claims for further development due to missing evidence and conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right knee disability is not related to his military service and has denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing service medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's DJD of the left knee does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, and his DJD of the left knee with limitation of flexion also does not warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's service-connected right knee injuries and osteoarthritis have not been shown to warrant a rating higher than the current 20 percent for either condition.

The VA determined that the veteran's left knee chondromalacia patella, rated at 10 percent disabling, does not warrant a higher rating based on additional limitation of motion or other factors. The disability is evaluated as it currently manifests.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including providing VCAA notice, obtaining updated medical records, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by or related to premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) noted during service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right and left knee conditions do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no evidence of ankylosis or dislocated cartilage. The current disability picture does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's claimed arthritis of the lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current left knee disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis with bilateral Morton's neuromas, and hiatal hernia with GERD. The veteran is also seeking service connection for respiratory disability claimed as asthma.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back condition, right knee condition, and chronic headaches. The original denial of these claims is now considered final.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a right shoulder or bilateral knee disorder, and thus the veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection were granted for a right hip disability. The other conditions, including diplopia and bilateral shoulder disability, were denied as new evidence was not sufficient to reopen the claims.

The veteran's service-connected right knee injury is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.