Knee decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an initial rating increase in excess of the assigned percentages.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, which resulted in a total knee replacement, warrants an increased rating to 60 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee and leg disorder and a back disorder, finding that there is no current medical diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to consider additional VA clinical records and obtain a decision on the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection and increased ratings for the veteran's bilateral knee, shoulder, low back, and cervical spine disabilities. The claims were found not well-grounded under then-prevailing legal authority.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected residuals of nose injury did not warrant a compensable rating, and her other claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence linking current diagnoses to active service or service-connected disability.

The Board found that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of both knees did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic acquired right knee disorder in service or for many years thereafter, and thus denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected right knee patellofemoral syndrome, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for peripheral vascular disease and bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any claimed disabilities, including back, left knee, right ankle, and right wrist disabilities. The service connection claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed low back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and glaucoma are not service-connected as they were not present during his period of active military service or for many years thereafter.

The Board found that the veteran's Behcet's Syndrome does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there was no evidence of exacerbations lasting at least a week and occurring twice a year or more. The current 10 percent evaluation is appropriate based on the objective medical records.

The RO denied service connection for a right knee disorder due to the absence of an apparent disease on VA examination in August 1963. The veteran's claim was subsequently reopened and granted service connection, but with a rating of 10 percent effective September 14, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed right and left knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during his military service, as there is no evidence of chronic orthopedic abnormalities in his knees during active duty. The veteran's current bilateral knee disorders are believed to be related to post-service medical treatment.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to concerns with the state of medical findings regarding his right and left knee, foot, and hand disorders.

The veteran's right and left knee disabilities are currently rated at 20 percent each for instability and subluxation. The RO has granted separate evaluations of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis in both knees, effective May 11, 2001.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the left knee and denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee as secondary to service-connected Osgood-Schlatter's disease.