Knee decisions — 2005

The Board denied increased disability ratings for the veteran's service-connected meniscus degeneration of the left knee and lumbar strain, both currently rated at 10 percent.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination and a VA social and industrial survey to assess the veteran's employment history and day-to-day functioning.

The Board is remanding the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for chronic right knee and back disorders due to incomplete verification of his military service records. The veteran will be given an opportunity to submit additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and determined that the veteran's current bilateral knee disability is not related to his military service.

The Board is remanding the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination. The claims will be reviewed again after obtaining additional information.

The Board has determined that the veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine and osteoarthritis of the right knee are at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected left knee disorder. The claim for a right shoulder disorder is denied.

The Board has found that further development is necessary, including obtaining medical records and arranging for the veteran to be examined to determine the nature and extent of his gunshot wound residuals to his left knee. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for re-adjudication.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right knee disability is granted, with the current evaluation of 30 percent continuing.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral knee disability is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral Achilles tendonitis.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including verification of service records and examination to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for aortic occlusion-thrombosis with bilateral above-the-knee amputation as secondary to service-connected schizophrenia, entitlement to special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance of another person or housebound status, and eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant. The veteran's claim for adaptive equipment only was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and instability, warrants a 20 percent rating for limitation of motion and no higher. The claim is granted.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability, rated at 20 percent, does not warrant a higher rating due to lack of ankylosis or recurrent subluxation/lateral instability. The preponderance of evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his left knee strain residuals and bilateral tinea pedis, finding that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 10 percent for either condition.

The veteran was granted service connection for PTSD. The right knee degenerative changes and skin disorder of the feet were denied as not related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no evidence of instability or limitation of motion that would support higher ratings. The plantar warts disability also does not meet criteria for a separate rating.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected left knee injury with degenerative changes, finding that his range of motion did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The VA denied the veteran's request for a higher rating for his right knee disability, which is currently rated at 10 percent.