Knee decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a low back disability or numbness and tingling of both knees. The veteran's claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected right knee disability, finding that her range of motion was limited to 120 degrees with painful motion at the last degree. The veteran did not have instability or recurrent subluxation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and increased ratings for his onychomycosis of the right great toe and mechanical low back pain with strain. The right knee disorder was found not to be related to military service, while the other conditions were rated appropriately based on their current severity.

The Board denied an increased rating for the service-connected left knee disability manifested by the residuals from a torn medial collateral ligament, including post-operative instability. The veteran is currently in receipt of a 30 percent rating for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for a low back disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for the veteran's service-connected left knee disorder and hemorrhoids, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board previously denied the claim of service connection for a right knee disability. The case is being remanded to comply with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and other VCAA requirements.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a local hearing before a member of the Board.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disorder, currently evaluated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right knee disability is related to her active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bipolar disorder, bilateral hearing loss, rare premature ventricular contractions, and right knee tendonitis due to a lack of medical evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the veteran's right knee retropatellar pain syndrome, effective July 9, 2003. The left knee retropatellar pain syndrome continues to be rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a TDIU rating as his service-connected knee disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for consideration on a schedular basis, and there is no evidence of an exceptional or unusual disability picture.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder due to new and material evidence, but finds that there is no medical evidence of a current disability. Therefore, the claim cannot be granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left femur fracture with knee instability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for either condition.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current or chronic right and left knee disorders, nor any link between the veteran's hearing loss and service. Therefore, these claims for service connection are denied.

The VA denied the appellant's claim for an increased rating of his left knee disability, currently evaluated at 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for an ulcer disorder, headaches, and a knee disorder. The veteran's scarlet fever was not found to be related to her military service. Service connection for a back disorder was also denied.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities and his claim for service connection for a neck disability secondary to the bilateral knee disabilities due to incomplete examination records, need for additional development of medical evidence, and VCAA compliance.

The veteran's claim for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only was denied because he does not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.