Knee decisions — 2004

The veteran's service-connected left knee disability, characterized by moderate subluxation and lateral instability with no limitation of motion, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board determined that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for arthritis of the left shoulder, back, and right knee. However, after a de novo review, the RO denied this claim on the merits.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disorder, including arthritis, was not related to his military service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The RO denied increased ratings for the veteran's right and left knee disabilities, currently rated at 10 percent each.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected left femur deformity does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent.

The veteran seeks service connection for frostbite residuals and amputation of the left foot. The RO has requested additional medical records, including from a private physician who treated him in 1987, to support his claim.

The case is being remanded for additional development and consideration of the veteran's TDIU claim, including an increased rating for his right knee disability and a medical examination to assess his employability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disorder and back disorder are secondary to his service-connected left knee arthroscopy with anterior cruciate ligament repair.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's left knee disability, but it is not a new and material issue as the appeal was about the merits of the claim.

The Board has granted a rating of 10 percent for the veteran's right knee disorder and increased his disability evaluation from noncompensable to 20 percent for his right shoulder disorder, effective since October 19, 1999.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current left knee disability to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability claimed as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. However, the new evidence does not establish that this condition is related to his service-connected right knee disability and thus the claim remains denied.

The veteran's appeal for timeliness is being remanded to the RO for further action.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected left knee disorder, which includes arthritis with limitation of motion and instability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a left knee condition due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability existed prior to his entry into service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his knee and back disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher level of special monthly compensation at a rate greater than 38 U.S.C.A. � 1114(l), to include loss of use of the arms and legs.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for each of the veteran's knees, effective April 15, 2004.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's post-operative residuals, chondromalacia of the left knee.