Knee decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hip and knee disorders are related to his military service, including parachute jumps during training. As a result, the claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board granted service connection for renal insufficiency as secondary to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, effective from August 28, 2000. The issue of a higher rating for renal disability remains pending.

The veteran's claim for service connection for his current left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected post-operative left and right knee impairments, currently rated at 20 percent each. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus he is denied entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for instability of the right knee, arthritis of the right knee, and donor site scars, right abdominal wound. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disability warrants a rating of 30 percent, which is more than the current 20 percent assigned. The disability is characterized by marked knee disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a left knee injury. The veteran's current left knee condition is related to an in-service injury, and thus service connection is granted.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee, right thigh muscle group XIV, and left tibial nerve disabilities have been denied. The current evaluations are considered appropriate under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with mild narrowing at L5-S1, and denied the claim for an increased evaluation for right knee strain.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee disability, finding that it did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee arthritis, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The appeals for reopening of claims for a bilateral foot disability and status post parotidectomy were also denied.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected right knee arthroplasty, currently rated at 30 percent. The evidence showed mild pain and weakness, noncompensable range of motion, and mild instability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, characterized as degenerative arthritis, warrants a 10 percent evaluation. Additionally, the limitation of extension of the right knee is also rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board found no evidence of a service connection for the veteran's claimed low back injury or degenerative joint disease of multiple joints, to include knees, hips and lower back. The claims were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The appellant withdrew his appeal, indicating satisfaction with the RO decision regarding an increased rating for residuals of a total left knee arthroplasty.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, left shoulder, and right knee disorders due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and low back disorders, finding no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The claim for osteoarthritis of the knees was also denied as there is no direct evidence linking it to service.

The veteran's third degree burn scars of the left knee, leg and ankle are currently rated at 40 percent disabling. The maximum rating available under applicable criteria is granted.