Knee decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disability and right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board found that the diagnosed left knee disability was neither incurred in nor aggravated by service, and is not proximately due to or the result of the service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no competent medical evidence to support a current disability or etiology related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected knee disabilities do not warrant a higher rating based on their current manifestations, as they did not meet the criteria for more severe disability ratings under relevant diagnostic codes.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for right knee disability and finds that new and material evidence has been presented. The issue of left knee disability is not addressed as it is secondary to the right knee.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing and further development. The issues of service connection are not addressed as the appeal is in its initial stages.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disorder, gastrointestinal disorder (hiatal hernia with reflux disease), and interstitial cystitis. The veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current left hip disability, bilateral knee disability, or rash of the lower and upper extremities. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee arthritis and service connection for a right knee disability.

The veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating, TDIU, and service connection for bilateral hip, knee, low back, and arthritis disabilities were denied due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The veteran's claims of service connection for disorders of the head, neck, low back, bilateral knees and hips, claimed as residuals of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident in service, were denied. The Board also found that his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound of Muscle Groups XIV and XV, right thigh, with damage to the right femur and degenerative joint disease of the right knee and right hip is being remanded due to the need for additional development including a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee condition, bilateral wrist condition, and a back condition.,There is no evidence linking the appellant's current conditions to her military service.

The RO granted a 60 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected residuals of left knee injury with degenerative arthritis, effective October 15, 2003. The decision also addressed secondary service connection claims for right hip avascular necrosis and degenerative changes, left hip degenerative changes, and postoperative degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The veteran's left knee injury, status-post meniscectomy, is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The right knee pain with joint effusion is also rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are not granted increased ratings.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left knee is currently rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to limited range of motion and no evidence of recurrent subluxation or lateral instability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for central disc bulge at L4-5, finding that it is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected knee condition.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for her right and left knee disabilities have been denied. The right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, while the left knee disability was previously rated at 10 percent from July 3, 2001 to May 2, 2004, and at 20 percent thereafter.

The veteran's bilateral knee disabilities were denied service connection. The lumbar spine disability was granted with a noncompensable rating effective from September 18, 2003. Costochondritis was also granted but no evaluation was assigned.

The Board found that the veteran's current left knee disability is not related to service and denied his claims for service connection.