Knee decisions — 2005

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his right knee disorder was denied by the RO. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic right knee disorder, finding that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim but ultimately denying it based on the merits of the case.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder was not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service and is not related to any in-service injury. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of his right and left knee disabilities prior to the Board's decision.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's right tibia and fibula fracture, as well as arthritis of the right knee. The disability is currently rated at 30 percent.

The veteran's claims for reopening his service connection claim and for secondary service connection for a below the left knee amputation are being remanded to allow for further development, including scheduling of a VA examination.

The veteran's migraines have been rated at 30 percent since November 5, 2004.,The veteran's papular urticaria and atopic dermatitis have been rated at 30 percent since November 5, 2004.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee disability was not incurred or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability and heart condition (to include cardiovascular disease and hypertension) were not incurred or aggravated during service, nor can they be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated during service. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right and left knee disabilities do not warrant initial ratings in excess of 10 percent as they have not resulted in functional loss due to pain or other factors, and are adequately compensated by the current schedular ratings.

The veteran's Baker's cyst of the left knee is currently rated at 20 percent. Service connection has been granted for status post thoracic spinal arteriovenous malformation/fistula repair and neurogenic bladder, recurrent urinary tract infection and recurrent pyelonephritis.

The Board granted service connection for arthritis of the left knee and a left ankle disorder, both found to be secondary to service-connected left leg phlebitic syndrome and left peroneal palsy. Service connection was also granted for residuals of a right hand injury.

The VA determined that the veteran's knee conditions, specifically his right and left knee chondromalacia, do not warrant an increase in their current 10 percent ratings based on the evidence provided. The examinations did not show any significant limitation of motion or other functional impairment beyond what is already accounted for by the current rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his claim for service connection for a right knee disability, and thus denied the reopening of the claim.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, a right knee disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are all denied. The RO is instructed to schedule the veteran for VA examinations to determine if any current conditions are related to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hip, knee, and leg disabilities that he believes are related to his service-connected back disability. The case has been remanded for additional development including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, are found to be sufficient for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board found no credible medical evidence linking the veteran's current bilateral knee disorder to his military service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of brain damage, right shoulder disability, and right knee disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.