Knee decisions — 2004

The Board has denied all service connection claims except for the reopened claim for a psychiatric disability. The veteran's other claims were not granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of either knee, and therefore denied his claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability. The claims for pes planus and back disability are pending.

The veteran's left knee disability was evaluated at 10 percent from January 14, 1999 to July 30, 2001. The evaluation has been increased to 20 percent since August 1, 2002.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an increased rate of DIC benefits, finding that the veteran was not entitled to such benefits due to his having been rated at least 100% disabled by service-connected disabilities prior to death.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 20 percent for post-traumatic arthritis of the right knee, due to pain and limitation of motion. The claim for instability is not addressed as it does not meet the criteria for a separate rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting left knee condition was aggravated by his period of active service, and thus grants service connection for this disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to service connection for ulcerative colitis and a left knee disorder, including arthritis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee disorder, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, was incurred during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disorder and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor are they related to his service-connected left knee disability. As such, these claims have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and information from SSA.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection and increased ratings due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a sinus and upper respiratory disorder, an increased rating for his right knee disability, and earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for residuals of bilateral foot disorder. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of an extraschedular rating for the right knee disability and a social and industrial survey to determine the appellant's employment status.

The Board found no evidence of a current left leg disability or low back disability, and denied service connection for these conditions. The right lower extremity disorder was not addressed in the decision.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including the assignment of separate ratings for a left knee disability and service connection for a low back disorder.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of an injury to the ribs and a bilateral knee disorder, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year post-service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left clavicle disability warrants a 20 percent evaluation, his left tibia fracture with knee impairment warrants a 20 percent evaluation, and his right knee lateral instability warrants a separate 10 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of entitlement to DIC and accrued benefits due to her income exceeding the statutory limits for entitlement. The claim of service connection for colon cancer, a disability manifested by stomach pains, and a knee disability is inextricably intertwined with the DIC claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability is related to her service and has granted her claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including amputation of left leg above the knee and albuminuria, produce impairment requiring regular aid and attendance.