Knee decisions — 2010

The Board found that the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, low back disability, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder were not supported by evidence showing a direct relationship to his military service. The conditions did not meet criteria for presumptive service connection based on exposure to herbicides or other factors.

The Veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected as they are either diagnosed after service or not related to his military service.

The Board finds the evidence to be in relative equipoise, with the Veteran prevailing, and grants special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's joint problems, including osteoarthritis of the right shoulder, bilateral knees, and bilateral hips, were not causally or etiologically related to his military service. The Board also could not establish a connection between these conditions and his service-connected meningitis.

The Veteran's left knee disability is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine its etiology and whether it is related to service. The issue of TDIU is also being addressed as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issue.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and reopening of service connection claims were denied. The claim for CUE in the November 2000 rating decision was also denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since June 26, 2006. The current rating is denied as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and granted service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there is sufficient evidence to link his current condition to military service. The Board also found support for granting secondary service connection for a left hip disability as it was related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, right knee, tendonitis of the right shoulder and wrist, hemorrhoids, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) from March 1, 2008 were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran is granted service connection for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the bilateral knees with degenerative changes, psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder and major depressive disorder), DJD of the lumbosacral spine, and tinnitus.,Service connection is established based on a legal presumption due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability, osteoarthritis, did not begin during service and was not related to his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral knee conditions, including his pre-existing medial meniscectomies, are currently rated at 10 percent each for instability under Diagnostic Code 5257. The RO has granted separate 10 percent ratings effective May 20, 2010.

The Board denied service connection for various leg and knee disabilities, as well as a right ear disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons and bases for denying service connection for a right knee disorder. The Veteran must be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if his current right knee disorder is caused by or related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence being presented, but no specific rating or effective date was assigned.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that arthritis, including degenerative diseases of the spine and knees, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and left ear disability, as well as his requests for increased ratings and earlier effective dates. The Board found no evidence of a chronic knee disorder present until after discharge from service and concluded that any current knee disorders are not etiologically related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability did not manifest within one year of her separation from service and is not related to her active service or a service-connected condition. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including SSA medical records.