Knee decisions — 2008

The Board found that the veteran's right below-the-knee amputation was not caused by VA medical treatment, and thus denied his claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for right knee arthritis as secondary to his service-connected muscle injury of the right thigh, finding no competent evidence linking the arthritis to either service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left knee disorder for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for restoration of a 30 percent evaluation and increased ratings for his service-connected right knee disabilities, finding that there was not sufficient evidence to justify the reduction in rating from 30 percent to 10 percent. The Board also found that the criteria for increased disability ratings were not met.

The Board found no evidence of a diagnosed gastrointestinal disorder or right knee disability in service, and insufficient competent medical evidence to link current diagnoses to service. The claims were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee and left shoulder arthritis, as well as his claims for service connection for dizziness and chest pain. The evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The claim for service connection of a low back disability is reopened. The claim for secondary service connection of residuals of fractures of the right ankle and right fibula is denied.

The Board has decided to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disorder. However, additional medical evaluation is needed to determine if any current arthritis disorders or respiratory disorder are related to service, particularly exposure to cold weather in Korea.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes that would warrant higher ratings. The initial disability rating assigned by the RO was upheld.

The Board has determined that the RO's decision is not complete and requires additional development to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The veteran needs to be provided with proper VCAA notification, including information about his right knee disability and potential extraschedular rating. Further medical examination may also be necessary.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration of his preexisting conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee disability is related to his service-connected left lower leg disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition as secondary.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected cervical spine, allergic rhinitis, and chondromalacia patella of the right knee. The veteran was not granted any additional benefits.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the St. Petersburg, Florida RO.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected DJD of the left knee, finding that his disability is manifested by limitation of flexion to 80 degrees and extension to 0 degrees.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right knee disorder and initial compensable evaluation for left quadriceps biopsy residuals are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from a private physician and conducting VA examinations.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, arthritis of the bilateral knees, residuals of asbestos exposure, and tinea pedis were all denied. The Board found no direct evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure basis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as her recurrent urinary tract infections with history of renal stones. The RO had previously granted these conditions but did not assign higher disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disability warrants a 30 percent rating, reflecting moderate instability and arthritis.