Knee decisions — 2008

The Board granted service connection for left knee instability and assigned a 10 percent evaluation, effective from the date of the claim. The appellant's low back disorder issue is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The veteran's DJD of the right and left knees was caused by his period of military service, resulting in a grant of service connection for bilateral knee pain. However, he did not meet criteria for higher ratings for his back disability or radiculopathy.

The VA has determined that the appellant's right knee disability does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, based on the current functional impairment.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's right knee condition to his service and denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's right knee disability, manifested by limitation of flexion but not less than 45 degrees, does not warrant a rating higher than the current 10 percent.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of a right elbow injury, as well as for residuals of right knee and shoulder injuries. The evidence does not support the presence of chronic disabilities related to service.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if the appellant's preexisting right knee condition permanently increased in severity during his brief period of active service, and whether this increase was due to natural progression. The VA will also provide notice regarding disability rating and effective date elements.

The Board found that the appellant's pre-existing bilateral knee disorder did not undergo a permanent increase in disability during his period of ACDUTRA, and thus denied service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and verifying in-service stressors related to PTSD. The veteran's claims for bilateral varicose veins and left knee disorder will also be reviewed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right and left knee osteoarthritis are not service-connected as there is no medical evidence showing a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The veteran's pes planus and degenerative changes of the left and right knees are found to be related to service, with pes planus being granted as well as secondary service connection for the knees.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected disabilities, effective June 30, 2005. The effective dates sought by the veteran were not granted as they are deemed factually ascertainable.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and an updated opinion from the VA examiner regarding the veteran's bilateral knee arthritis.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to right knee disability and granted service connection. The veteran's back disability is not service-connected. His right knee disability remains rated at 30%.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred in October and November 2005 is denied as he did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The claimant is seeking service connection for a left knee condition, but additional medical records are needed, including those from his active duty period in January 1987.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and/or more adequate reasons and bases.,Additional evidence is needed to determine whether the veteran's current eye condition was caused by any incident in service, including getting sand in his eye.

The Board found that the veteran's CTS, left knee disorder, and bilateral ankle disorders were not incurred or aggravated during service.,Service connection was denied for all three conditions.

The veteran's appeal for an extension of a 100 percent evaluation for right knee replacement was dismissed as he did not respond to the request for clarification within one year.