Knee decisions — 2005

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his left knee disability and service connection for a right knee disorder as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 50 percent for derangement and 10 percent for traumatic arthritis, effective from June 2, 2005. The claims for a higher rating are denied.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for traumatic arthritis of the left knee is denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right ankle, knee, and hip disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not show that any of these conditions warrant a rating higher than the current assigned disability ratings.

The veteran's CREST syndrome is productive of moderate impairment of health, with occasional attacks of blanching or painful hands and esophageal stricture. The RO granted a 60 percent evaluation for the disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for his right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on functional loss or limitation of motion.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and left hand disabilities were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings, and he failed to report for a VA examination scheduled in connection with his right knee claim.

The veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disorder is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examination.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for lumbosacral strain and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee were denied as her conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for further examination and verification of service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence of a claim prior to February 21, 2002. The effective date for the grant of service connection for residuals, right knee injury was set at February 21, 2002. Service connection for arthritis, left knee and degenerative disease, lumbosacral spine were denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within the presumptive period. The claim for psychiatric disorder was also denied due to lack of evidence.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's traumatic arthritis of the right knee, finding that the current limitation of motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's bilateral knee disorder and service-connected seasonal allergies are granted, with the Board extending the benefit of doubt to the veteran in both cases.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the right hip and both knees, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a head disability and knee disability, but granted service connection for right AC joint separation with an initial evaluation of 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition and a right elbow condition, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the right knee claim and attributing any current conditions to non-service-related causes.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic rhinitis, degenerative spondylosis of the lumbar spine, and left knee disability. However, it found that a higher rating is not warranted under current criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including knee, ankle, shoulder, and body cramps disorders that were not found to be related to his service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis. The cardiovascular disorders were also not granted as secondary to sarcoidosis.

The Board found that the veteran's arthritis of the right knee and right hip were not incurred in or related to his active service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected left knee instability and degenerative joint disease have been evaluated at the lowest possible rating due to the lack of evidence supporting a higher evaluation based on additional functional limitation or pain.

The Board has granted a 10% evaluation for the veteran's right knee disability, which is currently rated at 10 percent.