Knee decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for his right knee disability and left ankle scar, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable rating under VA's schedular criteria.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, migratory arthralgias of the shoulders, hands, and cervical spine, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The Board found that these conditions are not related to active duty service.

The Board finds that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disability and bilateral knee disability must be denied due to lack of competent medical evidence of current disabilities. The veteran's assertions alone cannot provide a basis for a grant of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the current severity of the appellant's left knee disability.

The veteran's left knee disability was initially rated as noncompensable from June 1, 2001 to September 21, 2004. From September 22, 2004, the RO granted a compensable rating of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and an initial evaluation of PTSD. The VA found no evidence linking current knee disabilities to military service, while finding that prior to December 5, 1995, the manifestations of PTSD produced mild disturbances of motivation and mood with slight impairment in occupational functioning.

The veteran's right knee disability, post-total knee replacement, does not warrant a schedular evaluation in excess of 30 percent from May 1, 1999.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his patellofemoral syndrome of both knees, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability. The current 20% ratings were maintained.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that any left knee complaints noted in service were treated and completely resolved by the time he separated from service. The preponderance of medical evidence does not establish an etiological link between his current left knee disability and his service or any incident therein.

The veteran's initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and subluxation of the right knee have been granted, with a rating of 10 percent each. The partial amputation residuals of the left middle and ring fingers are rated as non-compensable.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have any current right or left knee conditions and that these conditions did not manifest during service. The Board concluded that there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service, and thus no continuity of symptoms post-service to support the claims.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the ankles, knees, lumbar spine and shoulders as not related to service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Board granted a disability rating of 60 percent for the veteran's left knee disorder from June 1, 2002 until November 1, 2004.

The veteran's claimed disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and the initial rating for his right hand disability was denied.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for the veteran's low back disorder and right knee disorder, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected right ankle disability.

The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and right knee hamstring strain have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic left knee disorder and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, finding no evidence of these conditions during his military service or within one year after discharge.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder was incurred during his military service and granted service connection for this condition. The left knee disability is also found to be related to service, but further examination is needed before a decision can be made.

The Board has granted a combined rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection of knee injuries, as there was no medical evidence linking current disabilities to service. The Board concluded that arthritis could not be presumed due to its absence within one year after service.