Knee decisions — 2005

The case is being remanded for additional development and initial RO consideration of the new evidence. The veteran's notice of disagreement on residuals of left eye trauma has been placed in appellate status, so a statement of the case must be issued.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the veteran's current conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board's May 1983 decision deducted 10 percent from the veteran's left knee disability rating, resulting in a final rating of 20 percent. The Board incorrectly applied regulations regarding pre-service levels of disability.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee disorders and tinea versicolor were denied. The RO found that the current symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral arm, knee, and lower leg disorders as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The left shoulder disorder was also not granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including pseudofolliculitis barbae, defective vision, sleep apnea, pes planus, high pulse rate, asthma with bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, myofascial pain syndrome of the right shoulder, myofascial pain syndrome of the left shoulder, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The Board found that new evidence was needed to support these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of left shoulder and knee injuries, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 24, 1999, for a grant of total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings were granted, with the right shoulder impairment and left knee instability receiving the highest rating of 30%.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to notification requirements under the VCAA.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected lumbar strain, as well as his secondary claims for right foot and right knee disabilities. The RO found that the veteran's lumbar strain was manifested by episodic muscle spasm and complaints of pain, resulting in no more than moderate limitation of motion.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left total knee replacements, currently evaluated at 30 percent each.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a bilateral knee disability, a heart disability, allergies, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left hands, and asthma due to lack of evidence of current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee disability was incurred in service, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of residuals of a left long finger injury and abdominal pain, finding no current diagnosed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right and left knee disorders were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to show they existed prior to service and were not aggravated during service. The VA examiner noted that the veteran had a pre-service injury but did not receive treatment for it until after service.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim that his current right knee disorder is related to his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for peptic ulcer disease and bilateral knee disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected postoperative residuals of surgical repair, right shoulder; chronic dislocations, left shoulder; and ligamentous strain, right knee. The current ratings for these conditions remain at 20 percent for the right shoulder and left shoulder, respectively, and zero percent for the right knee.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee and right ankle disorders are related to his military service.,Service connection is granted for a bilateral knee disorder manifested by x-ray changes, and a right ankle disorder manifested by injury or fracture residuals.