Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee disorders are not related to his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his degenerative joint disease of the left knee is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and consideration of whether separate ratings may be granted based on different symptoms.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right knee strain and right thigh scar have been denied as there is no evidence of instability or subluxation warranting an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for a temporary total rating beyond August 31, 2002 was denied as his convalescent period did not extend past that date.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for the veteran's low back disability, as it was not shown to be related to his active duty. The left knee disability is considered primary and requires further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining complete service medical records and a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder including arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, generalized arthritis, and bilateral knee disabilities. The claim for hypertension was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-tibial tendonitis of both knees does not warrant an increased evaluation as there is no objective medical evidence demonstrating limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left elbow disability and a right knee disability, finding no current disabilities and insufficient evidence to support a secondary relationship between his right foot disorder and his right knee condition.

The veteran's right knee disability was not granted a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to October 2, 2002 and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent from that date. The RO found the evidence did not meet the criteria for such ratings.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for tendonitis of the left knee, effective January 15, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran sustained a right knee injury during INACDUTRA and that there is at least equipoise evidence regarding whether his current right knee disability is linked to this injury. Therefore, service connection for residuals of a right knee injury is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and other conditions, rendered him materially less capable of resisting the effects of other diseases primarily causing his death.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral knee condition and is granting it, as new evidence supports this conclusion.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a right hip disorder, finding that there is no new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the RO denied an increased rating.,Service connection for arthritis of both knees was not granted. The veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left hand remains at a noncompensable rating.

The veteran's appeal was denied as the claims for increased ratings and TDIU were not granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis as secondary to the veteran's service-connected right knee Pellegrini-Stieda disease.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claims for bilateral knee disorder, hookworm infestation (claimed as a skin condition), and kidney disorder manifested by hematuria. The claim for service connection for porphyria cutanea tarda is denied. The appellant's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person.