Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's death was caused by cirrhosis of the liver, which is not alcohol-related. The Board found that his use of pain medication for service-connected disabilities contributed to his liver failure and granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking the Veteran's claimed disabilities to his military service, and thus denied all three claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right wrist disability, blood disorder, acquired mental disorder (other than PTSD), or hypertension due to service. The claim for bilateral knee disorder is denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated. The right knee disability did not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture.

The Board has decided that additional development is necessary before the case can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining medical records and clarifying whether the Veteran wishes to appear for a hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, right shoulder, and knee disabilities are not rated higher than the current 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic knee disability in service and concluded that the current bilateral knee disabilities are not related to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee condition is being remanded due to the need for further examination and development of his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's claims for hiatal hernia, allergies, headaches, right knee disability, left knee disability, facial pain of the right cheek and teeth, and gastrointestinal disability are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for his left foot disability, including pes planus, valgus deformity, and plantar fasciitis, which he claims is related to his service-connected right knee disability. The case is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA opinion regarding causation or aggravation.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and retaining gainful employment prior to June 29, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right knee is being remanded due to his request for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claimed knee and foot disorders, as the recent medical opinions do not adequately address their onset during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee and left shoulder disorders were not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service, as they pre-existed service and were not worsened by military activities.

The Veteran's temporary total rating following left knee revision surgery is granted from October 25, 1999 to November 30, 2000.

The Board denied increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities following total knee replacements, finding no evidence of severe painful motion or weakness in the knees.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee injury and left knee degenerative joint disease were not incurred or aggravated by military service, nor are they secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee instability warrants a rating of 30 percent effective from March 30, 2009. The limitation of motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee, bilateral hip, neck and low back disorders were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have any of these conditions.