Knee decisions — 2004

The veteran's current rating of 20 percent for his service-connected right knee disability is maintained, with a separate 10 percent rating for degenerative arthritis.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have PTSD, a low back disability, a cervical spinal disability, bilateral eye disability, or skin rash. The right ankle and left knee disabilities are also denied as service connection is already granted for these conditions under another theory of service connection. The joint pain in hands, right wrist, and right shoulder, along with generalized muscle aches, have been previously granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot pes planus. The veteran's claims for secondary service connection for right leg, knee, and hip disorders are remanded for further development.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death from aspiration pneumonia. The preponderance of evidence indicated no causal relationship.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's right and left knee disabilities, with a rating of 20 percent each.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for left knee and hip disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or chronic condition during service. The Board also found it unlikely that the veteran's complaints were related to his history of heel trauma.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, is service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of instability or limitation of motion warranting a higher rating.

The VA has determined that the veteran's patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee warrants a 10 percent evaluation based on limited or painful motion, not instability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a prostate disorder and a right knee disorder, finding no current medical diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including VA examinations and compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The veteran's appeal was denied as the claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability and service connection for a low back condition were both found to be not warranted.

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral knee disorder is at least as likely as not related to her military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The claim for an increased evaluation for low back strain remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder nerve damage, left knee disability, and left leg disability. The RO assigned a noncompensable rating for his left shoulder scar.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for keloid scars of the left foot and a higher initial rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee.

The veteran's left knee and back conditions are service-connected, with the back condition aggravated by his service-connected left knee disorder.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for post-operative residuals due to VA surgical treatment of the left knee is denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for arthritis, right knee and an initial rating greater than 0 percent for uterine fibroid tumors. The appellant did not meet the criteria for service connection as her current disability was not shown to be incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right knee osteonecrosis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left knee disability, initial rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and initial rating for chronic right knee strain with instability to the RO for further development.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed because he died during the pendency of his appeal, and thus the Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.