Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anemia was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to her active duty service. The claim for chest pain was granted based on the presumption that it occurred during ACDUTRA, but not related to any pre-existing condition. Service connection for GERD and right knee disorder were both denied.,The Veteran's chest pain claim was granted as presumed due to ACDUTRA exposure, while her service connection claims for anemia and right knee disorder were denied based on lack of a current disability or no evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying dates of service. The claims will be reconsidered after this development.

The Veteran's arthritis of the right knee is rated at 10 percent, and his instability of the right knee (status post meniscectomy) is rated at 20 percent since September 19, 2008.

The Board has granted a rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee disorder, effective from November 19, 2007. A separate 10 percent rating is also granted for right knee instability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for a right knee disorder. The Veteran's statements indicate he was physically fit upon enlistment but do not provide any clinical records supporting this assertion.

The Board denied service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, headaches, residuals of head trauma, dizziness, and residuals of a right knee injury due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's onychomycosis of the toes is service-connected, and his peripheral vascular disease, polyneuropathy, and arthritis of the knees are not service-connected due to lack of a nexus. His loss of bone (maxilla) for compensation purposes due to injury involving #7 and #8 teeth is also service-connected.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current left knee disability and denied service connection for this condition. The claim for bilateral foot disability was also denied as there is no evidence of a currently diagnosed bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees, which he contends is related to his service-connected post-traumatic degenerative arthritis of the left ankle and foot with calcaneal spurring. The Board finds that additional records are needed to determine if there was an in-service knee injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the San Diego VA RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and lumbar spine conditions had their onset during service, granting service connection for these disabilities. However, there is no evidence linking his current left knee disability to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and low back disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the low back claim. The right knee claim was also denied as there is no current evidence of a right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability rating was reduced from 30 percent to 20 percent, and this decision is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disorders, including osteochondritis dissecans. Service connection is also granted for a back disorder, to include as secondary to the bilateral knee disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee is granted. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a hearing request. The issues of service connection for right knee injuries and temporary total evaluation are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left knee disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis, bilateral knee disability, and left ankle disability as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is reopened but service connection is not granted.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent disabling each. The Board has determined that the claims for increased ratings should be addressed by bifurcating them into two separate issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the submission of additional evidence. The RO will review this new evidence and determine if any benefits can be granted.