Knee decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and hand disabilities must be reconsidered to the time of his initial filing due to newly received STRs. The Veteran is seeking direct service connection for these conditions, but also raises a secondary claim based on his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a more current examination of his left knee disabilities.

The Board found no credible evidence of left knee pain or treatment in service, and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as her current allegations are inconsistent with her statements made during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting left knee disability was aggravated by service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder is not related to his active duty service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right shoulder or left knee disorder in service and concluded that the current disorders are not related to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic left knee disability during service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty, and service connection for this condition may not be presumed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee is proximately due to or the result of service-connected reflex sympathetic dystrophy, right lower extremity, to include the thigh. The claims for increased evaluations and service connection for migraines are remanded as additional examinations and/or medical opinions are needed.

The Board denied service connection for right knee and left knee disorders, as well as a right foot disorder and secondary service connection for an ulcer and stomach disorder. The Veteran's claims were not reopened due to the lack of new and material evidence.

The Board finds that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee condition, including obtaining relevant VA and private treatment records. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to assess his current right knee condition and its relationship to his Reserve service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disability more nearly approximates a 30 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5260, based on limitation of flexion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee injury and dental trauma will be remanded to allow for further development of his records and examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is secondary to his service-connected left knee disability and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, as well as his increased rating claims for right knee disability, left knee disability, and left shoulder disability. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current right or left knee disabilities and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and need for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot bunion deformity and plantar fasciitis, sebaceous cysts, right knee chondromalacia patella, and low back strain/sprain as secondary to his service-connected Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service or his service-connected diabetes.

The Board found no evidence of a left knee disability during service or within one year after separation. The Veteran's reports of continuous symptoms since service are not credible, and there is no medical evidence showing a chronic left knee condition prior to his claim in October 1993. Therefore, the claims for service connection for a left knee disability and increased ratings for right knee disabilities were denied.