Knee decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service-connected right knee instability and degenerative arthritis are currently rated at 10 percent each, but the claims for increased ratings have been denied.

The Board found no evidence of a current left knee disability or frostbite residuals of the hands and feet, and thus denied service connection for these conditions. The Veteran's statements during his hearing indicated he did not remember any specific injury to his left knee.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment or for specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's muscle pain, diagnosed as fibromyalgia, and cardiovascular disorder are not related to her active duty service or a service-connected disability. The Board denied the claims for bilateral knee and foot disorders due to lack of evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to his active service. The examiner opined that the current right knee disorder is less likely than not caused by or related to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected lumbar spine disability on his employability.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee and back disabilities are not related to his service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted, as there is evidence of a current disability (bilateral sensorineural hearing loss), in-service occurrence or aggravation, and a nexus between the two. The issue of service connection for bilateral knee disability is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to moderate instability and no compensable limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and the obtaining of any outstanding records.

The Veteran's left knee disability, post-total arthroplasty, has been productive of daily pain and swelling with no flare-ups. The Veteran is unable to walk for a prolonged period and has difficulty walking on stairs.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of $4,201.46 in VA disability compensation due to fault on the part of the Veteran and lack of undue hardship.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not service-connected, as it was not shown to be related to his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, diabetes mellitus, and posttraumatic stress disorder were denied. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses or service connection for these conditions.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD with a 50% evaluation effective March 14, 2008. The Veteran's claims for other conditions and issues were addressed but the appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his disabilities and their impact on his employability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations and effective dates, finding that service connection had already been granted prior to February 27, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (sensorineural hearing loss, right total knee arthroplasty, and skin cancer) are found to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right or left knee disorder that is attributable to his active military service.