Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's current bilateral knee osteochondritis dessicans with resultant degenerative joint disease was not manifest in service or within one year of separation, is unrelated to any incident of service, and was not caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected chronic low back strain with degenerative joint disease. The criteria for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for chronic low back strain with degenerative joint disease are not met.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his service-connected right knee disability was denied, as the evidence did not show an increase in severity warranting a higher rating. The left knee disability claim was also denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for anal fissure and allergic rhinitis have been withdrawn. The remaining issues of entitlement to higher initial ratings for right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, earlier effective dates for service connection for bipolar disorder and special monthly compensation by reason of being housebound, and TDIU are currently before the Board.

The Board has ordered another examination due to the inadequate opinions provided in previous examinations regarding the Veteran's low back and bilateral knee disabilities, as well as his service connection claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, left hip disorder, lumbosacral spine disability, and depression. The evidence received since the last denial was not considered sufficient to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing medical records and the need for a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection remain pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing left knee disability was aggravated by his active service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination of his right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, which is currently secondary to his left knee arthritis. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating for left knee arthritis remains pending.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 16, 2006 for the assignment of a 30 percent rating for the service-connected loss of visual field due to diabetic retinopathy (eye disability) and restored the previously assigned 20 percent rating for the service-connected right knee medial collateral ligament reconstruction (right knee disability) effective on January 23, 2001.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, while his bilateral knee disability was not shown to be related to service. The Veteran's preexisting right ear hearing loss was not permanently worsened during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service treatment records and VA/Tricare treatment records, as well as for further examinations of his bilateral hearing loss, lumbar strain, muscle tension headaches, left knee strain, and right knee strain. The claims will be reviewed again after these actions.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for an appropriate hearing and further development, as the Veteran requested.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient medical evidence for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral knee disability. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has reopened the claim and granted service connection for a bilateral knee condition as secondary to service-connected bilateral tibia stress reaction, finding that the Veteran's current knee condition is more likely than not caused by her service-connected tibia disability.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings for migraine headaches has been withdrawn. The remaining claims of entitlement to higher initial ratings for mechanical lower back syndrome, and right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, right hip, low back, and right hand disabilities. The claim for sinusitis was withdrawn by the Veteran during his hearing. Service connection is also granted for left shoulder impingement with AC joint arthritis.