Knee decisions — 2008

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage prerequisite for a TDIU, and there is no competent medical opinion that his service-connected conditions alone prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, gynecological disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia and gastritis, and headaches as these conditions were not shown to be related to active duty.

The VA has determined that the veteran's left knee disability, post-total knee replacement, does not warrant an increased rating beyond 30 percent for the period from May 1, 1998.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for left knee injury residuals due to a lack of current medical evidence demonstrating a present disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a left knee disability. The evidence did not support the veteran's assertions that his current disabilities were related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for DDD C4-C5 and cervical myositis as secondary to the veteran's service-connected residuals of left knee meniscus tear, but denied service connection for lumbar myositis. The claim for a higher rating for the left knee disabilities remains pending.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral knee DJD, which he contends was caused by his service-connected lumbar DDD and shin splints. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the veteran for an examination.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current left knee disorder is at least as likely as not due to an in-service accident, and to provide a complete rationale for any opinion provided.

The Board finds that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of both knees is likely due to his exposure to cold weather conditions and other trauma during service in Korea, resulting in a grant of service connection for these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including providing proper notice and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for fibrocystic breast disease, an increased rating for a left knee disability, and an increased rating for a low back disability. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen her claim for fibrocystic breast disease.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and chronic tinnitus. The case is being remanded to determine if the veteran's current right knee disability, which may be aggravated by his service-connected left total knee replacement, was caused or worsened by that condition.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is being remanded due to outstanding medical records and further evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee condition, left foot condition, and right foot condition. The RO denied these claims in October 1992 due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to active military service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left knee disability and denied service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, and chronic sinusitis, were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The Board found no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing conditions during service and concluded that there is insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between the current disabilities and military service.