Knee Board decisions

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative changes in various joints, finding that new and material evidence was received. The Board determined that these conditions are related to a pre-existing left hip condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral pes planus, and right knee disorder were not incurred or aggravated during his periods of active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition is being remanded due to the unavailability of his service records and the need for further medical opinion regarding the relationship between his current condition and his in-service injury.

The Veteran's disabilities, including arteriosclerotic heart disease and arthritis of the knees, do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to his current disability ratings.

The Veteran's left knee patellar tendonitis and chondromalacia were found to be incurred during his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities manifested by pelvic pain, low back pain, or bilateral knee pain. The claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been denied. The RO has granted service connection for these conditions, but the current disability ratings do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not secondary to or aggravated by other service-connected disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for the condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee condition was aggravated by his active service, and thus grants service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left knee injury was granted effective September 15, 1984. This decision is based on the submission of additional service treatment records that were not previously available.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bursitis of the left knee with a history of collateral ligament sprain and iliotibial band syndrome was denied. The evidence showed limited range of motion but no instability or significant disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and his claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia of the right knee and left knee have been dismissed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for a left knee disorder as secondary to his right knee disability. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and could not be presumed to have been so incurred. The VA examiner opined that it was less likely than not caused by his right knee disability, while the treating physician stated that the left knee disability was directly related to the injury of the right knee. As a result, the Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's combined disability rating of 50 percent, effective March 19, 2004, was correctly calculated by the RO. A higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence of a current thoracolumbar spine disorder or right knee disorder, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for VA financial assistance for an automobile with adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment alone.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for higher evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the left knee and status post fracture of the left humerus, finding that the evidence did not support a rating higher than the current 10% and 20% ratings respectively.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and reopening a previously denied claim were all denied by the RO. The denial of the reopened claim was based on lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's respiratory disability to include COPD and reactive airway disease is related to service. The left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not shown to be related to service.