Knee decisions — 2005

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for residuals of a fracture of the left tibia and fibula, with arthritis of the left knee and ankle, status post tibial osteotomy and left total knee replacement was denied. The claims for service connection for a right total knee replacement and residuals of burns to the hands, wrists, face, and eyes were also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The VA has determined that the veteran's right and left knee disabilities do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no evidence of instability or dislocation. The current ratings are therefore denied.

The Board denied service connection for back and left knee disabilities, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The veteran's PTSD claim was granted with an initial 50% rating.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral epicondylitis of the elbows, but denied both the original claim for this condition and the separate claim for arthritis of the knees.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or any link to service, including exposure to herbicides. The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and low back disorders, as well as hypertension and residuals of a cerebrovascular accident. The evidence did not support current diagnoses or show that these conditions were incurred in service.

The RO denied the veteran's claims of right shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities in March 1992, but these decisions became final. The veteran is now requesting that his claims be reopened.,New evidence has been submitted to support both right shoulder and bilateral knee disability claims.

The veteran's right knee instability due to degenerative arthritis has been rated at 10 percent since June 1, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including residuals of head injury, cervical spine disability, and right ankle disability, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The VA will notify you if further action is required on your part.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current right knee disability and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right foot and left knee disorders, as well as for fractured toes of both feet. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee injury during service was not severe enough to cause a significant tear of the meniscus, and his current condition is unrelated to any in-service incident. The examiner concluded that the veteran's development of osteoarthritis leading to total knee replacement occurred naturally with advancing age.

The Board denied a rating greater than 20 percent for right knee cartilage removal and granted a separate 10 percent rating for instability, but the overall disability remains at 20 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and residuals of a left knee fracture. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle and knee disabilities, finding no current disabilities related to service.

The case is being remanded for additional development to determine if the veteran's right knee disability is related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to a rating of 60 percent for his service-connected left knee disorder, status post left knee replacement, from September 1, 1998 to March 6, 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee instability does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent, and his osteoarthritis of the left knee does not warrant an initial rating in excess of 10 percent.