The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations of his left knee disability and service connection for right knee, gastroesophogeal reflux disease (GERD), degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist. The decision also found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen claims for hearing loss and tinnitus.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner noted decreased range of motion in the left knee with pain in all ranges but no instability or subluxation. The appellant's symptoms were primarily related to his service-connected right knee disability, which he believed worsened his left knee condition. There was no evidence supporting a separate evaluation for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist as it was not linked to any service-connected condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Injury (Meniscectomy), Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 7, 2007
- Citation
- 0716957
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0716957.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant medical records, including SSA disability records and Federal prison medical records, and request an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disorder.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, as well as his lumbar spine disorder. The Board found the evidence in balance regarding whether these conditions render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, and the Board finds that his back disability may be related to service. The case is remanded for a VA examination.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his ability to independently ambulate without aids.
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