Knee decisions — 2008

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral flat feet, finding that the veteran's pre-existing condition was aggravated by his active service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, as well as consideration of new evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee condition, a bilateral leg condition, and a bilateral shoulder condition. The claim for diabetes mellitus was not adjudicated as it is related to an issue that was not about service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim and granted service connection for a right knee disability, finding that it is caused by the veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a meniscectomy of the right knee is being remanded due to incomplete records and further evidentiary development is required.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims of service connection for arthritis of the knees and bone spurs of the elbows, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims. The RO will be instructed to re-adjudicate these matters on de novo review.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, including as secondary to service-connected disability, and denied her increased rating claims for bursitis of the left hip with left gluteal atrophy and chondromalacia of the left knee.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for back, neck, and right knee disorders based on new evidence. The claim is granted as these conditions are found to be related to active service.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain the veteran's service treatment records and verify his periods of active duty for training. The appeal will be remanded for further development.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's right knee medial meniscectomy residuals with degenerative joint disease, finding that his symptoms do not warrant an evaluation higher than 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder and a right hip disorder, finding no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The veteran's current disorders are not shown to be related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for the veteran's right knee meniscectomy scar as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and an increased rating for low back strain with headaches. The evidence does not support a finding of a current disability related to service.

The Board has granted a separate 10% rating for instability of the left knee, effective from February 21, 2006. The veteran's total left knee arthroplasty is rated at 30%.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, hair loss, and sinusitis, all to include as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The claims for service connection for back and left knee injuries, chest pain, and calluses of the feet have been denied. The claim to reopen a psychiatric disorder (PTSD) has also been denied. New evidence submitted since the final decisions does not warrant reopening any of these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for residuals of a left fibula and tibia fracture with ankle eversion, and traumatic arthritis of the left knee. The RO has been evaluating these conditions at the 20 percent rate under Diagnostic Code 5262.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current knee and lumbar spine disabilities to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.