Knee Board decisions

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left knee is denied because there is no medical evidence showing he sustained such an injury during his military service.

The Board has granted the veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for gastrointestinal, bilateral knee, and back disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital due to lack of prior authorization and because no emergency condition existed that would have made delay hazardous.

The Board found new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claims of service connection for multiple joint pain in the hands, lower back, right knee, and headaches with fatigue. The case was remanded for additional development including verification of the veteran's Gulf War service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder impingement syndrome, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were denied. The claim for PTSD was also denied.,Service connection could not be established as there is no evidence of a relationship between in-service injuries and current disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for arthritis of the knees and shoulders, and service connection for hypertension.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, right knee disability, and hepatitis C are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee and bilateral hip disabilities, finding that new evidence did not warrant reopening his claim for left knee disability. The Board also determined that any current conditions were not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and the provision of relevant medical records.

The veteran's service-connected and nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a nonservice-connected pension.

The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for the veteran's low back syndrome with left sacroiliac joint pain and degenerative disc disease, effective from the date of the decision. The ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy (10%), left lower extremity radiculopathy (10%), and osteoarthritis of the right knee remain unchanged at 10 percent each.

The veteran's service-connected dysthymic disorder, right knee disability, and postoperative residuals of a duodenal ulcer are all rated at their current levels. The RO has granted the requested increased ratings.

The Board has determined that a rating greater than 20 percent for DJD with limitation of motion of the right knee is not warranted based on current evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting right knee disorder did not increase in severity during service and is less likely than not related to service. Therefore, service connection for a right knee disorder was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right knee disorders, finding that current conditions are not related to any injury or disease in service.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee and left ankle disorders are not secondary to his service-connected disabilities, thus denying all claims.

The VA has granted service connection for right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, each rated at 10 percent. The veteran's claims for higher ratings have been denied as there is no evidence of more than the normal functional loss due to pain or other factors.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition, right ankle disorder, and bilateral knee disorders due to lack of legal merit.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his chondromalacia of the left knee was granted, with a 10 percent disability rating effective from the date of the decision.