Knee decisions — 2003

The Board granted an increased rating of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee and a continued 10 percent disability rating for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disability and PTSD have been denied as there is no evidence of occupational or social impairment warranting a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and low back disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current functional impairment.

The veteran's right hip and knee disabilities, fatigue, allergic rhinitis, chronic diarrhea, skin rash, and headaches were not found to be related to service or the Persian Gulf War. The psychiatric disability was determined to be due to a known clinical diagnosis.

The Board found that the veteran did not have current disabilities involving his ankles, knees, left thigh, or right hand. The claims for service connection were denied as there was no medical evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board found that the veteran's fatal cardiovascular disease was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service and is not presumed to have been caused by his military service. The appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee instability and limitation of motion do not warrant an initial rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no evidence of more than slight instability or significant limitation of motion.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease affecting the hips, neck, and knees, finding that there was no evidence of such conditions during active duty or within one year post-service.

The veteran's initial ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left knee with patellofemoral syndrome and ligamentous laxity of the left knee are both appropriate, as they reflect the severity of his disabilities based on Diagnostic Codes 5010 and 5257 respectively.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development due to procedural issues, and will consider all evidence obtained since the July 2002 decision.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development and compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected right knee disability, finding that it only warrants a 10 percent evaluation based on painful motion and limitation of flexion.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of frozen feet, left knee disorder, and left hip disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's appeal is about his right knee disability, specifically a meniscal tear and osteoarthritis. The RO has granted service connection for these conditions but assigned a 10 percent rating. He now appeals this decision seeking an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability as a result of total knee replacements performed by VA was denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including ichthyosis, skin cancer, fracture of the navicular bone of the left foot, nerve damage to the left leg and arm, slurred speech and disorientation, psychiatric disorder (dementia), and multiple trauma. The veteran's claims were not supported by competent medical evidence.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability and right knee disability, but denied both. The left ankle disability claim is not addressed as it was not part of the original appeal.