Knee decisions — 2003

The veteran's initial ratings for residuals of multiple mine fragment wounds were denied, and the appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, finding that the current evaluation of 30 percent is appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right knee or left ankle disability during service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The February 1972 RO decision denying service connection for bilateral knee disability is final. The veteran has not submitted new and material evidence to reopen his claim.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for a left knee disorder, with a current diagnosis linking it to an inservice injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of such disabilities during his military service and insufficient medical evidence to link current knee conditions to service. The Board also noted that the veteran did not meet the criteria for an effective date earlier than December 5, 1995.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic joint pain disorder in service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for right knee disability, as new and material evidence has been submitted. The issue will now be decided on its merits.

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection for left knee condition and low back condition due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for her low back, right knee, left knee, right foot, and right hip conditions. The appeals were based on direct service connection without any presumption or secondary theory.

The Board granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected right knee disorder, effective from February 1990.

The veteran's anxiety/depression is rated at the highest possible evaluation of 70 percent, while his cervical spine disability and low back strain are each rated at 20 percent. The bilateral knee strain and irritable bowel syndrome do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's fibromyalgia is rated at 40 percent, the highest available under the rating criteria.,From June 10, 1995 to October 24, 2001, her chondromalacia of both knees was evaluated as zero percent disabling. As of October 25, 2001, she is entitled to a 10 percent rating for each knee.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability due to new evidence showing treatment within one year of discharge. However, the claim remains denied as there is no direct or presumptive service connection.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's left knee disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or arthritis.

The VA determined that the veteran did not have a chronic right knee condition as a result of her military service.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the left knee, effective April 13, 1992. The claim for service connection for multiple joints including ankles, right knee and cervical and thoracic spine remains unresolved.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not service-connected, and thus denied his claim for burial allowance based on service-connected death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability is service-connected due to aggravation by his service-connected right knee disabilities. The claim for an increased rating for post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the right knee and instability remains denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for left knee and right hip disabilities, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to reopen the claim for right hip.