Knee decisions — 2005

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected residuals of a left knee injury, to include status post meniscectomy with degenerative changes, as there was no evidence showing limitation of motion, instability, or loss of strength or sensation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for a left knee disability and a low back disability. However, the claims were ultimately denied as there is no medical evidence showing these disabilities are related to his service-connected right knee disability.

The veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is rated at 20 percent, effective April 1991.,Her right and left knee patellofemoral syndromes are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's arthritis of the hips is service-connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and a chronic bilateral knee disability are granted. The claim to reopen a previously denied skin disorder is also granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound (SFW) of the right knee.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left knee and left hip arthritis are not related to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus denied both claims.

The VA has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected right foot hammertoes, effective from the date of claim on June 30, 1999.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development of evidence, including obtaining medical records from Ft. Sill and seeking opinions on whether the veteran's right knee disorder is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for other claimed conditions are remanded for further development.

The veteran's claim for service connection for various conditions due to exposure to ionizing radiation is being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, left knee, and scoliosis of the thoracic spine.

The VA denied an increased rating for service-connected arthritis of the right knee, currently evaluated at 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder and found that new and material evidence had been received. The claims for service connection for thickened toenails and insomnia are being remanded.

The Board found no current evidence of a bilateral knee disability and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disorder, including chondromalacia patella. The evidence shows that the veteran had chronic left knee symptoms in service and continues to have such symptoms post-service. Service connection is granted for the current chondromalacia of the left knee.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right and left knee disabilities have been denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated appropriately based on the severity of his symptoms and medical findings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's knee disabilities do not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence of record.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain treatment records from various facilities and entities, including the David Wade Correctional Center in Homer, Louisiana; LSU-Monroe (E.A. Conway Hospital) in Monroe, Louisiana; Fort Lee Tri-Care Clinic in Fort Lee, Virginia; and the VA Medical Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Board will then re-adjudicate the claim based on this new evidence.