Knee Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability warranted a rating of 30 percent prior to October 30, 2003, and granted an increased rating after December 31, 2004.

The Board found that the veteran's current right shoulder, arm, knee, hip, and neck disorders are not related to his military service. The evidence showed no treatment for orthopedic problems during or immediately after service, and the disorders were first noted many years post-service following a motorcycle accident.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left knee and status post medial meniscectomy, left knee instability are denied.

The Board found that the veteran's left foot and left knee disorders are not related to his military service, leading to a denial of both claims.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected degenerative changes of the right knee, finding that there was no evidence of lost flexion or extension to warrant such a higher rating.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to care for his daily needs without the regular aid and attendance of another person, or render him unable to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment. Therefore, he is not entitled to special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle and left knee disabilities, claimed as secondary to service-connected arthritis of the right ankle. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee condition is related to his military service and grants service connection for a left knee disorder.

The veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various conditions, including liver disorders, head/neck injuries, back and limb issues, rash on buttocks, hypertension, memory loss, insomnia, stress, joint and muscle pain, and right knee problems. The RO is instructed to obtain his complete service medical records and issue a statement of the case regarding the undiagnosed illness claims.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing at the RO in Montgomery, Alabama. The appeal involves multiple conditions and evaluations related to PTSD, headaches, duodenal ulcer, scars, tinnitus, and arthritis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder was not incurred in service and is not otherwise related to service. As a result, the claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is denied.

The veteran's asthma and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining the VA examination report from January 2003 and arranging for a new VA examination to assess his current disability levels.

The Board has restored service connection for peripheral neuropathy, which was previously severed due to the veteran's diabetes mellitus. The issues of increased evaluations for knee disabilities and hearing loss remain pending.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeals on these issues as he did not file a timely substantive appeal within one year of the March 1996 rating decision.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a chronic back disorder, left ankle injury, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to active or inactive duty reserve service.

The Board found that the veteran's current right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities are not related to his military service. As a result, he cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a lumbar spine disability. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for kidney stones and traumatic arthritis of the right shoulder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected right and left knee disabilities due to incomplete development of evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence showing that either condition warrants a higher rating.