Knee decisions — 2008

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional service treatment records and arranging for VA examinations to determine the nature of any current psychiatric disorders and right knee and wrist conditions. The veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

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

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions regarding service connection for various knee, ankle, and wrist disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's osteoarthritis of the knees was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred therein. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a bee sting, cold injuries to hands and fingers, and right knee disorder. The evidence did not support these claims as there were no current disabilities or medical records linking them to his military service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for his left knee condition, which he claims first appeared during service. The VA has ordered a remand to schedule the veteran for an examination and further medical development.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of a left knee injury, traumatic arthritis of the left knee, and post-traumatic arthritis of the left hip are denied as there is no evidence showing more than moderate impairment or limitation of motion in these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left ring finger fracture, left knee disorder, left foot disorder, varicose veins, and PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence of chronic disability related to these conditions since service, and no medical nexus between current symptoms and active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a disability manifested by high cholesterol and therefore, her claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and back disability were denied. The RO granted the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, status post arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy of the right eye, status post right 4th metacarpal fracture, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, peripheral vascular disease of the right lower extremity, and peripheral vascular disease of the left lower extremity.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation prior to November 14, 2005 and did not find any other applicable diagnostic codes warranting a higher rating.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing due to his current level of mobility.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's left shoulder, right hip, and left knee disorders based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disorder and granted it, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish a current disability, its onset during active service, and a link between the two. The left knee disorder was not found to be incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The RO must issue a SOC on these issues and provide the veteran with an opportunity to respond.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability, left knee disability, and low back disability. The claims are now considered for further review.

The veteran seeks service connection for left hip and knee disabilities. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for medical opinions.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including myocardial infarction, amputation, osteomyelitis, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction, do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.