Knee decisions — 2003

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current knee, shoulder, or back conditions to his active service.,For the acquired psychiatric disorder claim, the VA examiner stated that it was not related to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right knee subluxation, residuals of left inguinal hernia repair, and removal of the left testicle. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in any of these cases.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death, and thus denied both claims for service connection for the cause of death and dependents' educational assistance.

The Board has determined that the appellant's right and left knees are currently rated at 10 percent for DJD, which is within the range of noncompensable ratings. The medical evidence does not support a higher rating as neither knee exhibits subluxation or lateral instability.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the right knee, finding that there is evidence linking current degenerative arthritis to service. The issue of arthritis of the left knee requires further development and will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations of his left knee disability and gouty diathesis of multiple joints, as well as his claim for service connection for a lumbosacral disorder. The decision found that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of the disabilities.

The Board has ordered further development due to incomplete service medical records and the need for an orthopedic examination. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board denied the veteran's application for secondary service connection for a bilateral knee disability as it was not found to be related to his service-connected flat feet. The case is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for the postoperative residuals of bilateral total knee replacements as secondary to the service-connected pes planus. The issue regarding degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with osteoarthritis is also granted, and an increased rating for pes planus remains pending.

The Board has determined that the claimed conditions are not service-connected.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and evaluations for his service-connected disabilities, including postoperative residuals of a right meniscectomy, proximal right tibial osteotomy, chronic osteomyelitis, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and degenerative joint disease of the left leg. The appeals are denied due to lack of legal merit or entitlement under the law.

The Board is considering whether new evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection of a left knee disorder. If so, the claim will be decided based on the merits.

The Board found that the veteran's current right knee internal derangement is not related to military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran was not rated as totally disabled due to service-connected disabilities at the time of his death, and therefore is not eligible for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have bilateral knee or ankle disorders and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for laryngitis and a right knee disorder, finding that new evidence did not warrant reopening the claim for a right knee disorder. The Board also found no causal relationship between the veteran's military service and his claimed laryngitis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee warrants a 10 percent disability rating, as it is manifested by early osteoarthritis and pain on movement.

The veteran's death was not due to his own willful misconduct, but he did not have a service-connected disability rated as totally disabling for at least 10 years prior to his death. Therefore, the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is denied.

The veteran's death was not service-connected, but the RO granted DIC benefits based on secondary service connection for a left knee disability. The claim is denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder and right knee degenerative joint disease, both secondary to his service-connected medial meniscectomy of the left knee with traumatic arthritis. The case must be remanded due to failure to provide proper notice under the VCAA.