Knee decisions — 2008

The Board denied a claim for an increased rating for the veteran's right knee disability, finding that there was no new and material evidence to reopen the secondary service connection claim for left knee disability. The RO continued its denial of both claims in subsequent decisions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a currently diagnosed right hip disorder and denied service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for a right knee disorder is pending.

The Board has granted service connection for low back and right knee disorders, with an initial rating of 40 percent for the low back disorder.

The veteran's loss of use of a hand or foot is not due to his service-connected PTSD, and therefore he is not entitled to special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a hand or foot.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee and hip disabilities are not related to his service-connected low back disability, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral knee disability cannot be granted as there is no evidence of their onset during active service or within one year after separation from service, nor are they related to any in-service disease or injury.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical evidence and provide the veteran with an examination to determine if his left knee condition is related to service or any other relevant factors.

The veteran's claims for increased rating of right knee disability and service connection for diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and treatment records.

The veteran's left knee disability has not met the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.,A separate 20 percent evaluation was granted for lateral instability of the left knee, effective April 1, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling issue for a Travel Board hearing. The veteran's claims of service connection and reopening of his right knee condition claim are pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected tension headaches do not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent, and his residuals of left knee injury with scar are rated at 20 percent. The current ratings are considered appropriate based on the evidence provided.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability and found new and material evidence to support it. The joint pain claims are still pending.

The veteran is entitled to specially adapted housing assistance due to his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain and loss of use of both lower extremities, which precludes locomotion without the aid of a wheelchair.

The veteran's left knee disability, post-operative ACL repair, is manifested by moderate lateral instability and osteoarthritis due to trauma. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for instability or any higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a currently diagnosed right shoulder disability, neck disability, low back disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, or left ankle disability.,Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's initial claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities were denied in February 1977. The RO did not receive an appeal, so the decision remains final.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence and needs further examination for service connection claims.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to his contention that the current evaluation of his right knee condition (10 percent disabling) does not reflect its severity. The RO must arrange for a VA examination to determine the current level of disability associated with his service-connected ruptured lateral meniscus of the right knee.

The veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing clarification on whether his service-connected orthopedic disorders alone prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

Service connection for residuals of left knee surgery was reopened.,Service connection for lung cancer due to asbestos exposure is denied.