Knee decisions — 2005

The veteran's left and right knee disabilities have been rated based on their specific impairments, with the highest rating of 30 percent granted for each knee from February 1, 2002, to February 1, 2003. Separate evaluations were assigned for arthritis affecting both knees.

The Board denied increased ratings for migraine headaches and right knee disorder, finding that the veteran's symptoms did not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, left hand disorder, bilateral wrist disorder, and chronic right ear otitis media/externa. The veteran's claims are not supported by the medical evidence of record.

The VA denied a claim for an increased rating for the veteran's right total knee replacement, which was assigned a 30 percent rating as of November 1, 2000.

The Board has determined that the initial evaluations for left knee sprain and lumbosacral degenerative joint disease are not higher than 10 percent, as there is no evidence of compensable limitation of motion or other disabling conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for knee, hip, and low back disorders due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions are related to her military service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine based on new and material evidence. The right knee disorder and back injury claims are being remanded to the RO for further development, while the left ankle sprain rating remains unchanged.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and a skin disability, finding no evidence of such disabilities during her active duty for training period.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disability, left knee disability, and bilateral pes planus from September 26, 1990 to June 8, 2000. The reasons were that the veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability, currently rated at 20 percent, does not warrant a higher rating due to lack of objective findings of recurrent subluxation or lateral instability. The current 20 percent rating is maintained.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disorder warrants a separate initial 10 percent evaluation for arthritis and no more, effective August 1, 1996. A separate 10 percent evaluation is also granted for instability of the left knee, effective August 1, 1996.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran withdrew his appeal before a decision was made.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for major depression, increased ratings for his left knee disability and psoriasis. The evidence did not support a finding of chronic depression in service or any other basis for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of frostbite injury in service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a frost bite injury of the feet, to include peripheral vascular disease and a left below the knee amputation.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied, and the case is being remanded to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, low back, and bilateral knee disabilities have not been met due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's left knee disorders are currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion with painful motion and no higher. He is not entitled to a rating higher than 10 percent for the limitation of extension caused by his patellofemoral syndrome.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed left thigh and hip, as well as left knee disabilities are not proximately due to or the result of her service-connected gunshot wound to the left thigh with scar. Therefore, she is denied secondary service connection for these conditions.