Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee disability was incurred during his active duty service and is therefore granted service connection.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed right knee, skin disability of the feet, left knee, left ankle, and right hand disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is required to fulfill VA's obligations under the VCAA, including obtaining a medical opinion and providing proper notice.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his right lower leg scar did not warrant a higher rating due to lack of moderately severe disability.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent for limitation of flexion, instability or subluxation of the right knee and a separate 10 percent rating for traumatic arthritis. The veteran's service-connected right knee disability is now rated as 40 percent disabling.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his attorney indicating he only wishes to pursue the claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disability. The remaining issues have been dismissed.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD. The case is remanded to allow for further development and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder as secondary to the veteran's service-connected right ankle, knee and hip disorders. The condition was aggravated by these service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic shoulder disability or shoulder pain, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness.,The Board also denied service connection for a chronic knee disability or knee pain, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness. Service connection was granted for fatigue, but only based on direct evidence.

The RO has granted a combined rating of 30 percent for the veteran's right knee disability, which includes separate ratings for instability and arthritis. The case is remanded to clarify this determination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, bilateral wrist, and bilateral knee disabilities, as well as depression and fatigue. The evidence does not support a finding of chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness or direct service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including frostbite of the hands and feet, hypertension, a right shoulder disability, a back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, pes planus, residuals of a foot fracture, tailbone disability, diabetes mellitus, and glaucoma. The decision was based on the conclusion that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for frostbite of the hands and feet, and that these conditions were not incurred in service or due to any other service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development including obtaining SSA disability determination and medical records, and readjudicating both claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability, finding that the effective date should not be earlier than July 19, 1999.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a right shoulder disorder and a back disorder secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities, finding that he did not meet the eligibility requirements for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability as secondary to the veteran's service-connected left total knee replacement. The issue of direct service connection is moot.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disability is no more than 10 percent disabling, and thus does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for evaluation of his service-connected right knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability and bilateral knee disability, but did not address the claims for bilateral ankle disability and residuals of a head injury.,New evidence received since the last denial does not relate to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claims for bilateral ankle disability and residuals of a head injury. The Board denied these claims on the merits.