Knee decisions — 2005

The veteran's initial compensable evaluation for right knee arthritis prior to January 7, 2003 was denied. The veteran's request for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent on or after January 7, 2003 was also denied.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left lower extremity disability was granted, with a 20 percent rating effective November 12, 1996.

The veteran's bilateral knee disability, left shoulder disability, and CTS were all found to be related to his military service. The initial rating of 10 percent for low back disability from October 31, 1996, to April 9, 2001, is maintained.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied as it is not factually ascertainable that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable within one year prior to the receipt of his June 11, 1999 application.

The Board granted a combined evaluation of 40 percent for left knee disabilities on and after August 21, 2004. The rating was effective April 1, 2005.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder was not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim seeking service connection for a right knee condition. The veteran's current right knee condition is at least as likely as not related to pre-patellar bursitis in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right knee disability and there is no evidence linking any such disability to service. The claim for service connection for a right knee disability is denied.

The VA has determined that the veteran's left total knee arthroplasty does not warrant a higher rating than the current 30 percent assigned.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the assignment of separate 20% disability evaluations for his bilateral knee disabilities was denied as there is no evidence of increased disability prior to September 12, 2003.

The veteran's TDIU was granted effective January 30, 1979, as he became unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities on that date.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development, including a medical examination and review of additional evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection, finding no evidence of a current hip disability or degenerative changes in the lumbar spine that are secondary to his right knee disability. The initial rating for postoperative residuals of a right knee medial meniscectomy was also denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability was granted, with a current evaluation of 30 percent. His secondary service connection claim for a low back disability is pending and his TDIU claim is deferred.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions are not related to his military service, including the Persian Gulf War.

The veteran's service-connected right knee disability, which resulted from a total knee replacement in October 1995, is currently rated at 30 percent. The evidence does not support an increase in the rating as there is no objective evidence of severe painful motion or weakness.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's left knee disability, currently rated at 30 percent. The evidence did not show severe limitation of motion or weakness that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's current disabilities, including degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine, lumbar disc disease with lower extremity neuropathy, torn medial meniscus and chondromalacia, left knee, and bilateral carpel tunnel syndrome, are not related to his service. The examiner opined that these conditions were due to post-service occupational stress.

The Board denied service connection for multiple joint disorders, including lumbosacral spine disorder, bilateral knee and hip disorders, bilateral foot disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease that led to these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for left and right foot disorders have been reopened. However, the evidence does not support a finding that his current knee conditions are related to military service.