Knee decisions — 2010

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae and heart disorder, manifested by chest pain and/or clogged arteries are service-connected. The right knee disorder is also service-connected as it was aggravated by a pre-existing injury before service. No new evidence or reopening of claims for hyperpigmentation of the skin has been presented.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed low back, neck, right knee, or left knee disorders. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability and acne on the face and head, as these claims were previously denied in April 2006.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, disabilities of the legs and knees including osteoarthritis, and an acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD due to lack of credible evidence of onset or continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left leg, knee, ankle, and/or foot disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing any current disability related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied his claim for residuals of a right knee injury. The decision is based on new evidence submitted since the last denial.

The Veteran seeks service connection for left knee and ankle disabilities, which he claims are related to his active military service. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to the lack of definitive opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for arthritis of the right knee and a higher rating for his bilateral pes planus. The appeal has been remanded to obtain additional medical evidence, including complete service treatment records and an updated VA examination. Additionally, TDIU will be considered based on the current severity of the Veteran's disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee and leg disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted separate 10 percent evaluations for traumatic arthritis of the left knee in April 2003.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not considered to be permanent in nature, thus failing the eligibility criteria for dependent's educational assistance.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the failure of a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for disorders of the right knee and shoulder. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a left ankle disorder as secondary to service-connected right ankle disabilities, and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for disorders of the right knee and shoulder are now remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking any current disabilities, including back injury, shrapnel wounds, and arthritis of the hands and knees, to service. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's Alzheimer's disease is not found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board also determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and private medical records to determine if the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his right and left wrist disabilities, were not incurred in service. The Board found that arthritis of the knees and wrists did not manifest within one year following separation from active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee disorder is related to his service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and finds that the Veteran's current back pain is related to his military service. The claim for left knee disability, skin disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and hepatitis B was not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues regarding service connection for disabilities of the left knee and low back has been withdrawn. The issue of a compensable initial rating for right shoulder disability is being remanded.