Knee decisions — 2010

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and arthritis of the right knee are found to be related to his active duty for training with the Army National Guard.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining an opinion regarding the impact of his service-connected left knee disability on employment.

The Veteran's appeals for initial ratings and increased ratings have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn her appeal.

The Veteran's left below-the-knee amputation and osteomyelitis were caused by the carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill on the part of VA in providing medical treatment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his current hearing loss disability had its onset in service or was caused by active service. The claims for initial compensable ratings for right index finger, left ankle, and right knee disabilities are remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial noncompensable disability rating for residuals of a gunshot wound to the right thigh was upheld, as were the decisions regarding cold weather injury residuals and bilateral knee degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the June 4, 1985 rating decision did not contain CUE in assigning an initial noncompensable disability rating for residuals of a left tibial fracture with osteoarthritic changes and chronic chondromalacia of the knee. The denial was based on the evidence showing no functional limitations.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including chondromalacia, medial and lateral meniscus damage, and patellofemoral degenerative arthritis, is etiologically related to his service-connected ACL deficiency of the left knee.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for a VA examination to address the nature and likely etiology of any current knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability and secondary service connection for left knee disability. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected left index finger fracture was granted, with a 10% rating effective August 26, 2002. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his postoperative forehead laceration scar was also granted.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the Veteran's claimed back, left hip, left ankle, and left knee disabilities. The Board also noted that there was no indication of an accident in service or any residual injuries from such an accident.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral tinnitus is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The other claims are pending further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a back injury and arthritis of multiple joints, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's hepatitis B, endometriosis, eye disability, and bilateral knee disability were not found to be service-connected or warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of status post left knee meniscectomy was granted, with a final rating of 20 percent. The issue of reopening service connection for hypertension was denied as new and material evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The initial rating for postsurgical scar of the left knee remains at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a low back disorder. The Veteran's current low back, right elbow, and right knee disorders are being evaluated based on their direct relationship to her active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a head injury, right ear injury, blurred vision and inability to walk, rheumatoid arthritis, right knee disability, cardiovascular disability (including heart valve replacement), and bilateral hearing loss. The claim of service connection for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to cardiac catheterizations was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the residuals of a fracture of the right second metatarsal did not meet criteria for a higher rating, and there was no evidence supporting service connection for the right knee or low back disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development of issues related to service connection for a right knee disability, residuals of a chest injury, and hypertension.