Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating were denied. The low back disorder claim was reopened but not granted. Bilateral knee disorder, malaria, and left elbow fracture claims remain denied.

The Board found that the current 10 percent evaluation for the service-connected right knee disability is appropriate, as it reflects the Veteran's symptoms and functional impairment.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a left knee disorder due to new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran. The issue remains on appeal as the claim is still pending.,No decision was made regarding the earlier effective date for tinnitus or the rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death was not caused by any service-connected disability and denied DIC benefits.

The Board granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and assigned a 10 percent disability rating effective March 10, 2006. The Veteran's current symptoms include constant pain, locking, and instability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's low back, right knee, and left knee conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral quadriceps tendon repair was not caused or made worse by his service-connected osteoarthritis of the knees, and thus denied his claim for secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left ear hearing loss, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and right ankle disorder. The decision also denied higher initial disability ratings for his service-connected right shoulder disability, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbar strain and right knee disabilities was denied. The RO reduced the Veteran's ratings from 20% to 0%, effective February 1, 2008, and then later increased them back to 10%. The current rating of 10% is maintained.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records from the Veteran's terminal hospitalization and addressing whether his service-connected hypertension contributed to his cause of death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left ear hearing loss, bronchitis, knee disorders, asthma, and increased evaluation for major depressive disorder. The appeals were decided on a direct basis without any presumption or secondary theory of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current back disorder or left knee disorder, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability did not have onset in service or within one year of service and was not caused or aggravated by his active military service. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability with degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of extension and instability, but not restricted in flexion. The claim for an increased rating has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's genital/venereal warts had their onset in service and his right knee disorder is not related to service. Service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis. The Veteran's right and left ear hearing loss are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee and right shoulder disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if service connection can be established.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and a clarification of the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected arthritis and his death from pulmonary fibrosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, hypertension, a right knee disability, a circulatory condition, and erectile dysfunction were denied. The Board found no credible or competent evidence of current disabilities in these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of frostbite to his neck or lower extremities, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The Board also found no evidence linking any bilateral knee or hip disabilities to his military service, including as secondary to his claimed residuals of frostbite.