Knee decisions — 2005

The Board granted service connection for a right thigh disability, but the veteran wanted it to be for a left thigh disability. The case was remanded and reopened on new evidence. A higher initial disability rating of 10 percent was assigned for chronic urticaria. The initial disability ratings for both knee disabilities were upheld at 10 percent.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his osteoarthritis of the left knee, as it is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or pain.

The Board found no evidence of a right eye nasal pterygium, right eye injury, or left eye injury in service. The knee disorders were also not linked to service. Therefore, the veteran's claims for these conditions were denied.

The case is being remanded to the RO for review of new evidence, and then it will be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right knee disorder and service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The denial is based on the lack of current evidence supporting these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including chronic back disorder, left hip disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral foot disorder, are not service-connected. The heart disease is also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed bilateral leg and knee conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service, nor could they be presumed to have been incurred in service. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and requests additional evidence from the veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his traumatic arthritis of both knees, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a left knee injury is granted. The case is being remanded to obtain outpatient treatment records from the VAMC in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there is no evidence linking the current condition to service or any service-connected disability.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her low back strain, right knee sprain, and bilateral shin splints.,The VA found that there was no evidence of orthopedic or traumatic pathology in the veteran's lower back, right knee, or legs.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for traumatic arthritis of the left knee, effective from June 1994. The lumbar disc disease remains rated at 60 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability or service-connected right and left knee disabilities. The claims are denied.

The veteran's right knee disability has significantly worsened since the last VA examination in October 2001, and a new examination is required to determine if an increased rating is warranted.

The Board has denied service connection for various hip, knee, and leg disorders due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a bilateral knee disorder, and a stomach disorder. The VA examiner found that the veteran did not have hearing loss in service or due to noise exposure during service. The preexisting knee and stomach disorders were also determined not to be aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for residual shrapnel wound scars of the left knee and right neck, finding no evidence of underlying muscle damage or limitation of function.

The Board denied reopening of the veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, finding no new and material evidence to support these claims.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 10% for traumatic arthritis and instability of the right knee, effective from December 1, 2005. The effective date for separate ratings was set at July 17, 2000.