Knee decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of carpal tunnel of the right hand, bilateral knee disorder, or lower back disorder incurred in service. The claim for these conditions is therefore denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's amputation of the left leg with knee disarticulation is rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum rating under applicable criteria.,For chronic lumbar strain, a 20 percent rating is granted effective January 10, 2005. Prior to this date, the condition was rated at 10 percent.,The veteran's right knee arthritis continues to be rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's entitlement to additional compensation for dependents ended when his disability rating was reduced. He did not provide the necessary information regarding his dependents, and VA notified him multiple times of his potential eligibility for these benefits.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not meet the criteria for reopening the claim of service connection for a left knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to obtain service medical records and inadequate reasons for not requiring a VA examination.

The Board has decided to reopen the veteran's service connection claim for a right knee disability and grant it, finding new and material evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service. The examiner could not provide an opinion regarding the etiology of the diagnosed conditions due to lack of records from service.

The Board has denied the claim of service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to a service-connected right ankle (fibula) disability, finding that new and material evidence has not been received.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee and low back disabilities were not incurred in service, are not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left foot/ankle disability, and have not been aggravated by it. The rating for his left foot/ankle disability is also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and a back disorder, as well as his increased rating claims. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a brain injury, including headaches and blackouts, as well as narcolepsy and hypersomnolence. The decision on whether these conditions are related to service is pending.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for post-operative residuals of a right knee injury, based on severe instability/subluxation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional medical records to be obtained and a VA examination of his right knee.

The veteran's left knee DJD is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The skin condition has not met criteria for a compensable evaluation prior to November 28, 2006 and since then it remains at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records from VA facilities in Miami and Dublin, Georgia. The case will be reviewed after these records are obtained.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for lower back and right knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to properly adjudicate all issues on appeal, including verifying the veteran's claims of helicopter crashes and examining his current conditions.