Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee DJD, which may be related to his service-connected left knee disability. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for spots on the lungs, arthralgia of the knees (claimed as a left knee disability), and spots on the brain. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for non-cardiac chest pain due to undiagnosed illness remains pending.

The Veteran's right leg or knee disability, specifically chondromalacia, and sinusitis were both found to be incurred during his active duty service.

The Board has found no evidence of a chronic gastrointestinal disorder, to include GERD, IBS, hiatal hernia, and acid reflux, during the appeal period. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and severity of his service-connected left knee disability. The AOJ must consider whether he is entitled to a separate rating for his service-connected left-knee disability pursuant to Diagnostic Code 5258.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder are not related to his military service, with the exception of a possible secondary relationship for the psychiatric disorder. The preponderance of evidence is against granting service connection in these cases.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board's decision.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, finding that her symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient evidence to decide the claim, including a need for another medical examination.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for service connection of a left knee disability, and the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA orthopedic examination to determine if the Veteran's current right knee disability is related to his service or pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by a limitation of flexion to 120 degrees and extension to 0 degrees with tears to the medial meniscus and lateral meniscus, has been rated at 10 percent based on limitation of motion. The claim for an increased rating is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim. The evidence submitted since the RO's September 2004 decision, although new, does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the low back disorder claim.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, gastrointestinal disability (including ulcers), kidney stones, and right knee synovitis were denied. The Board found that the pre-existing hearing loss was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including dislocation and a medial patellofemoral tear, has been granted service connection. He is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion.

The Veteran's diagnosed bilateral shoulder, right knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities have not been shown to be related to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine if he has hypertension secondary to his service-connected disorders. The RO/AMC will also ensure that an SOC is issued on the issue of left knee laxity.

The Board has found service connection for a low back disorder, but the claims of service connection for left and right knee disorders and bilateral hip disorders are remanded due to insufficient opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral patellofemoral syndrome with osteoarthritis, specifically whether it is related to or aggravated by his service-connected bony fragment of the right tibia.