Knee decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current disabilities for the left ankle, bilateral knees, or low back strain. The veteran's service records do not support her claims of in-service injuries resulting in these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition remains denied, as no new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for right knee, right hip, and low back disabilities. The rating for residuals of a left knee injury with osteoarthritis was continued at 10 percent, while the rating for left hip arthritis was also continued at 10 percent. Service connection for secondary right knee and right hip disabilities were denied, as well as service connection for a low back disability.

The veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of the decision.,The right knee disability rating was reduced to noncompensable (0%) in June 2006 and has since been restored.

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for the veteran's PTSD, effective from February 29, 2004. The initial ratings for his left and right knee disabilities remain at 10 percent each.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pursuit of a law school education is not necessary to improve his independence in daily living and does not meet the criteria for additional vocational and rehabilitation services under Chapter 31, Individual Independent Living Program.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability and the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of a right shoulder rotator cuff repair as a result of VA treatment in 1989 or 1990. The issue regarding reopening a claim for service connection for right knee injury is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip and knee disabilities, with a rating of 10% effective from the date of decision.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and for further consideration of his claims, including entitlement to a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and service connection for a left knee disorder.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing right knee disorder clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service, and was not aggravated by service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for his left knee disability, right knee chondromalacia with instability, right knee arthritis, and left Achilles tendon repair. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee disorder is not related to his period of service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment, and the Board denies a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability warrants a rating of 20 percent since August 1, 2003. The claim for an increased rating is granted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying his exposure to herbicides. Service connection will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has decided the appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current right knee and left hip disabilities are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and missing Social Security Administration records.