Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to pending claims and unadjudicated disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, bilateral hearing loss, recurrent kidney stones, and degenerative joint disease of the knees as these conditions were not shown to be related to service or any inservice disease or injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right knee injury with degenerative joint disease and limitation of motion, as well as for right knee instability, status post arthrotomy with ligament repair.

The veteran's migraine headaches, prostate disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and diverticulitis, bilateral knee disorder, respiratory disorders including sinusitis, asthma and bronchitis, and nasal polyps are all found to be related to service. The veteran was not exposed to radiation during service.

The VA has granted a 30 percent rating for post-operative left knee disability, effective from August 23, 1997. The veteran's foot drop is separately service connected.

The Board denied the veteran's spouse's request for apportionment of his VA disability compensation benefits due to the veteran reasonably discharging his responsibility for spousal support.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability is being remanded due to the need for further development, including verification of combat participation and examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the shoulders and knees are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and determine if the veteran was exposed to herbicides during service. The claims for service connection will be adjudicated based on the evidence of record.

The Board has granted an increased disability rating of 20 percent for the veteran's residuals of a right ankle sprain, postoperative residuals of a right knee injury, and right knee osteoarthritis.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for the veteran's service-connected meniscus degeneration of the left knee and lumbar strain, both currently rated at 10 percent.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination and a VA social and industrial survey to assess the veteran's employment history and day-to-day functioning.

The Board is remanding the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for chronic right knee and back disorders due to incomplete verification of his military service records. The veteran will be given an opportunity to submit additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and determined that the veteran's current bilateral knee disability is not related to his military service.

The Board is remanding the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination. The claims will be reviewed again after obtaining additional information.

The Board has determined that the veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine and osteoarthritis of the right knee are at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected left knee disorder. The claim for a right shoulder disorder is denied.

The Board has found that further development is necessary, including obtaining medical records and arranging for the veteran to be examined to determine the nature and extent of his gunshot wound residuals to his left knee. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for re-adjudication.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right knee disability is granted, with the current evaluation of 30 percent continuing.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral knee disability is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral Achilles tendonitis.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including verification of service records and examination to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.