Knee decisions — 2005

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities are being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and arranging for VA orthopedic examinations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including examinations to assess the current status of his right knee and ankle disabilities, as well as secondary service connection claims. The RO must also issue a supplemental statement of the case on the issue of secondary service connection for lumbar spine and right hip disabilities.

The RO confirmed and continued the assigned evaluations for chondromalacia of both knees, but did not grant any increased ratings.

The veteran's right knee arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and no higher. The Board finds that the evidence does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for the appellant's claimed conditions, finding that they were not incurred or aggravated by service and thus did not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The veteran's service-connected left knee disorder was increased to a 30 percent rating effective January 12, 2005. A separate 10 percent rating for arthritis of the left knee is also granted. The veteran's chronic low back pain remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Board denied all service connection claims for bilateral shoulder, neck, ankle, and knee disabilities as the evidence did not show current disabilities or a link to military service.

The Board denied an increased rating for the right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorders and an increased rating for thoracic spine disorder. The decision is final as it pertains to a previously denied claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral knee disorder is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include depression, and initial compensable disability ratings for right and left knee strains.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back disorders, finding no evidence of a nexus between current disabilities and service. The claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of fracture of the right index finger was granted with assignment of a 10% rating.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy, bursitis of the hips, and calf pain. The veteran's service-connected disabilities alone did not render him unemployable.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling an examination and obtaining medical records. The issues of service connection for multiple sclerosis, a compensable rating for the compression fracture of L1, and a greater than 10 percent disability rating for the left knee disorder are pending.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for arthritis in the left knee and hypertension were denied. The right knee arthritis claim was remanded.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left knee meniscus tear with osteoarthritis, hallux valgus of the left and right feet, hypertension, and pseudofolliculitis barbae with acne vulgaris. The conditions were found to not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for disorders of the arms, hands, feet, elbows, and knees as secondary to his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability was denied due to lack of evidence of treatment in service and no current diagnosis. Her claim for migraine headaches was granted as new evidence showed a chronic condition related to service.,Service connection is established for migraine headaches, but not for left or right knee disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and hip disorders as secondary to his service-connected right tibia/fibula fracture. The claim for service connection for a disorder of the lower back was granted.