Knee decisions — 2009

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for reopening service connection for arthritis of the hands, chronic upper and lower back pains with degenerative changes, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The decision also addressed claims for service connection for arthritis and bursitis of the hips and knees.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions regarding his ability to perform daily self-care functions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for gout of the left foot and left knee, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have been evaluated based on the severity of his symptoms and limitations. The RO has determined that a higher rating is not warranted for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development, including a lack of VA examination for current lumbar spine and right knee disabilities. The Veteran is requested to provide any relevant medical records and undergo VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the claim of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for a right knee disability with a history of Osgood-Schlatter's Disease, with a separate and additional evaluation of 10 percent due to arthritis is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for corrective VCAA notice.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee arthropathy and left hip disability were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the criteria provided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a current VA examination to determine the current level of disability due to his service-connected left knee and low back disorders.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are addressed in the decision. The Board found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen several previously denied claims, but did not grant any of the individual claims due to lack of evidence supporting the claims or because they were otherwise not supported by the preponderance of the evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability is causally linked to his multiple parachute jumps during service, and thus grants service connection for a status-post left knee replacement. The lung disease claim remains pending as additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further examination and development of evidence regarding the Veteran's left ankle disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, finding that his left knee disability did not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent from August 1, 2006 to February 13, 2008. The issues of evaluating his condition beyond this period and seeking secondary service connection were also denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee. The issues of service connection for depression and coronary artery disease with history of myocardial infarction are also addressed, but not decided on this remand.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, hearing loss, right knee disability, osteoarthritis of the hips, left hand disability, flat feet, and depression. The evidence submitted did not provide a link between these conditions and service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skin disability, PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, diabetes mellitus, lung disability, right knee disability, gallbladder disability, drug addiction, and cardiovascular disability. The appeals were not addressed on the merits of these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected knee, ankle, shoulder, and elbow disabilities have not met the criteria for a higher initial evaluation throughout the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right left knee disability did not require an extension of her temporary total rating beyond March 31, 2003.