Knee decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current sinusitis, right shoulder disability, or right knee disability. The residuals of a left fifth metatarsal fracture and lumbosacral strain are resolved with surgeries and no current disabilities are noted.

The veteran's right knee disability is rated at 30 percent, and he has other service-connected conditions. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating for his right knee condition or a TDIU based on his overall disabilities.

The Board denied the claim for an increased rating for the service-connected left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 4, 2003, for total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that he was unemployable within a year before his August 26, 2002 informal claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's vascular disorder of the right leg is service-connected, and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for her right knee disorder is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding no evidence of chronic conditions during or within one year after service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have been granted health care benefits under Chapter 17 of the Veterans' Benefits Act.

The Board found that the veteran's current left knee disorder is not related to his in-service injury and denied service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's osteoarthritis of the right knee is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's right knee disability, characterized by instability and arthritis with limitation of extension, is currently rated at 20 percent. The RO granted a separate rating for the limitation of extension.

The Board found that the appellant's service-connected right knee disability, which is currently rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 5257 (recurrent subluxation or lateral instability), does not warrant an increased rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The case is being remanded for additional development of the medical evidence, including obtaining service medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if the veteran's claimed disabilities are related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings on appeal were denied. The denial of service connection for hyperthyroidism, endometriosis, and fibromyalgia was also noted.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current bilateral knee and right hip disorders are not related to his military service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions that were incurred or aggravated during service, and thus denied all his claims for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back and right knee disability, finding new and material evidence. The veteran's current disabilities are not shown to be related to her active service or any service-connected condition.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO found no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions that would warrant higher disability ratings, and the claim to reopen a back disorder was also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for pulmonary emboli and a right knee disability, finding that there is no evidence of carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill in the provision of VA medical treatment.

The veteran's claims for reopening his service connection claim for a skin disability and for an increased rating for arthritis of the left knee are being remanded due to new evidence submitted by the appellant.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of his claims, including a new examination for his left knee disability.