Knee decisions — 2005

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for limitation of extension of the right knee, effective from July 8, 2004. The claim for higher ratings for lateral instability and flexion is denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss or right and left knee chondromalacia, but granted service connection for tremors, muscle spasm, and extremity numbness as due to an undiagnosed illness. Service connection was also granted for severe joint and muscle pain including of the bilateral ankles and left shoulder as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, residuals of a concussion, bilateral knee disabilities, and bilateral leg disabilities. The veteran was granted a 20% rating for degenerative disc disease, L5-S1, lumbar spine prior to June 12, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right knee is related to service and grants this claim. The left knee and low back disability claims are remanded for further development.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person was denied as he is not in need of regular aid and assistance due to his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee instability does not meet the criteria for a separate compensable rating, as there is no medical evidence of recurrent subluxation or lateral instability. The current 10% evaluation assigned for limitation of motion remains in effect.

The Board has determined that the veteran's gout of the knees, degenerative tearing of the medial meniscus and degenerative arthritis of the knees are not related to his service-connected residuals of shell fragment wounds of the knees. Therefore, these claims for secondary service connection have been denied.

The veteran's chronic lumbar strain was rated at 10 percent from September 12, 2001 to September 25, 2003. The right knee chondromalacia and patellofemoral syndrome were also rated at 10 percent during the same period. Arthritis of the right knee was rated at noncompensable (0%) from September 12, 2001 to the present.

The VA determined that the veteran's left knee disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher initial rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for left knee osteochondritis dissecans, postoperative, and a 20 percent rating for degenerative joint disease of the left knee. These ratings are effective from November 30, 1990.

The VA determined that the veteran's right knee disability, which includes arthritis and medial collateral ligament instability, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board finds that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and thus denies his claim for TDIU.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a right above-the-knee amputation, finding that he does not have any additional disability of the right lower extremity as a result of VA hospitalization or medical treatment.

The Board denied reopening of the veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for back and right knee disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his knee disorder and skin rash.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, a left toe disorder, and a left knee disorder. The evidence did not establish an in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of the low back or either knee, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a Travel Board Hearing.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back and knee injuries are not service-connected as they did not occur during his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The evidence supports the finding of chronic disorders in service.