Knee decisions — 2005

The veteran's PTSD was granted service connection. The other claims, including those for joint aches, skin rash, headaches, dizziness, Epstein-Barr virus, hypertension, hallux valgus (right great toe), right knee injury residuals, and low back disorder, are being remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of a left knee medial meniscectomy and arthritis of the right knee with retained foreign body, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and knees, finding no current diagnosis and noting conflicting medical findings.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee internal derangement did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation during the periods specified.

The veteran's case is being remanded for further development of his VA medical records and a de novo review based on the new evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and tooth loss, finding no evidence of such disabilities being incurred in or aggravated by service. The veteran's current left knee disability is not related to his military service.

The veteran's right thumb injury with metacarpophalangeal joint fusion and arthritis, as well as his left knee injury with reconstruction, are rated at 10 percent each.

The veteran is entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a right below-the-knee amputation resulting from VA medical and surgical treatment provided in 1998 and 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diagnosed degenerative arthritis of the left knee, status post total knee replacement, and degenerative changes in the lumbar spine are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right knee disability. As a result, the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for the appellant's total right knee arthroplasty with history of arthritis and chronic synovitis with patellar dislocation postoperative reconstruction, effective from August 1, 2004.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the new evidence was not material.

The Board granted an effective date of November 22, 1994 for the assignment of a 60 percent rating for service-connected limitation of motion of the lumbar spine, status post surgery, with disc disease and neuropathy. The TDIU was also granted but not earlier than November 22, 1994.

The veteran withdrew his appeals concerning all issues on appeal, including increased ratings for service-connected traumatic arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, left hip, right knee, and left knee with fracture of the femur.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including a VA orthopedic examination and consideration of separate ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5260 and 5261. The veteran's claims for extra-schedular evaluation and TDIU are also being addressed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee condition is not related to her service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a left knee, left wrist, or right foot injury or disability during service and no post-service medical evidence supports the veteran's claims for these conditions. As such, the claims are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for macular degeneration of the right eye, bilateral knee condition, and residuals of basal cell carcinoma. The issues were not about service connection at all.

The veteran's right ankle disorder is currently rated at 10 percent since June 10, 1998. The claim for a higher initial rating remains denied.,The veteran's right knee disorder was initially rated at zero percent from June 10, 1998 to November 21, 2004 and is now rated at 20 percent since November 22, 2004. The claim for a higher initial rating remains denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder is aggravated by his service-connected right knee disorder, warranting service connection for this condition.

The veteran's total combined rating of 80 percent for service-connected and nonservice-connected disabilities, including his partial amputations and shoulder conditions, meets the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.