Knee Board decisions

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the period prior to October 7, 2005, and granted a higher evaluation of 40 percent effective October 7, 2005.

The Veteran's claims for loss of sense of smell, bilateral shin splints, left knee cartilage deterioration, and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) have been denied. The claim for asthma has been granted with a 30% evaluation but not higher.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current left shoulder disability and denied service connection for this condition. The right knee issue is pending as remanded by the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with an initial rating of 30 percent for residuals of a fracture of the right femur and financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obesity, have rendered him unable to dress or undress himself, keep himself clean and presentable, feed himself without assistance, attend to his wants of nature, or protect himself from the hazards of his environment. He is therefore in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability, including arthritis and total knee replacement, is less likely than not related to his service.

The Veteran's cause of death and DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Board found that there is no credible evidence of a continuity of symptomatology between the reported in-service injuries and the current diagnoses of knee and ankle strain, and thus denied service connection for right knee and left ankle disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disabilities, including patellar chondromalacia and osteoarthritis of the patellofemoral joint, were permanently aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including medical nexus opinions and a VA examination to determine the etiology of his right knee and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's right and left knee strains are service connected, with the thoracolumbar strain also being granted.,Service connection for the right and left knee strains is established. However, an initial rating higher than 10 percent for the thoracolumbar strain is denied.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right hip or knee disorder during service, and the Veteran's current diagnoses are characterized as mild. The Board also found that his current disorders were not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right foot disability.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for allergic rhinitis and a right knee disability prior to the specified dates, as well as in excess of those ratings since the specified dates, are denied.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine and right knee arthritis were denied.,Service connection was granted for irritable bowel syndrome, but a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to April 4, 2007 was denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an above-the-knee amputation of the left leg, claimed as secondary to his service-connected shell fragment wound residuals. The case is REMANDED due to incomplete VCAA notice and need for SSA records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, left knee, and lumbar spine disorders have been remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right shoulder disorder has been presented. The case is now REMANDED for further development, including an examination to determine the etiology of any currently present right shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is not related to service or his service-connected right knee disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and lumbar myositis are service-connected. The left knee disability is not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.