Knee decisions — 2008

The veteran's knee and hip conditions have been evaluated, but the RO has determined that no increased ratings are warranted based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of cold injuries to both hands and feet, but denied the remaining claims as there is no current evidence of a disability or link to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee arthritis is aggravated by his service-connected right knee disorder, and thus grants service connection for this degree of increased disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability and tremors, as well as his claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for pulmonary fibrosis. The decision also noted that new evidence submitted since May 2002 did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his previously-denied claims.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, as well as service connection for a bilateral hip disability secondary to these conditions. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the veteran's right knee disability as it was neither incurred nor aggravated by active duty, and is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board found that the veteran does not have underlying disease or disability of the right lower extremity, other than disability of the right knee. The veteran's scars were rated as superficial and tender but did not affect an area exceeding 6 square inches or cumulatively exceeding 12 square inches.

The veteran's service-connected knee and foot disabilities have been evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and denied claims for increased ratings for residuals of right and left tibia stress fractures. The veteran's right knee condition was not found, and her right and left tibia disabilities were rated based on their current manifestations.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding the etiology of the veteran's right leg/knee disability, including whether it is related to service or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle/foot disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disabilities, finding that a single 20 percent rating is appropriate under Diagnostic Codes 5259 and 5010.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, right knee disability as secondary to service-connected torn meniscus of the left knee, and lumbar spine disability as secondary to service-connected torn meniscus of the left knee have been denied. The evidence did not provide sufficient details about the stressors claimed by the veteran.

Your appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a video conference hearing before the Board.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for consideration of additional evidence and readjudication. The veteran is entitled to service connection for certain conditions but the evaluation and timing need to be reconsidered.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for left ankle, right knee, and right ankle disorders. The decision also noted that new and material evidence was not received to reopen previous claims for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left knee and right knee disorders, finding no evidence that these conditions had their onset during active service or were related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for left knee disorder, low back disorder, and residuals of a lung nodule. The right foot and heel disorders are also denied.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for right hip condition and right knee condition, as well as his claim for service connection for right ankle sprains, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board found that the evidence does not support service connection for a right knee disorder as secondary to his service-connected low back and left knee disabilities.