Knee decisions — 2005

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected left knee injury, post-operative synovectomy. The claim was based on the current non-compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling orthopedic and dermatologic examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's left knee condition.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disability, post-operative residuals of lateral meniscectomy, does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board found no current diagnosed chronic disability for the veteran's bilateral shin splints and bilateral knee problems, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, low back disability, and right knee disability. The claim to reopen the psychiatric disorder was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for both the low back and right knee disabilities were also denied as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for low back, bilateral knee, and left hip disorders due to lack of evidence showing their onset during or shortly after military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a disability in service or within one year following service, and the Board found that any current disabilities are not related to service.

The VA has granted a higher initial rating of 40 percent for the veteran's left knee disability, which includes postoperative residuals from a meniscectomy with chondromalacia. The effective date is not specified as it was granted retroactively.

The Board denied service connection for left thumb and left knee disabilities, as well as initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for right hip, left hip, and right thumb disorders. The veteran's assertions were not supported by current medical evidence.

The Board found that the reduction of the veteran's rating from 50% to 30% for residuals of left knee arthrotomy was proper based on an improved level of joint extension.

The veteran's application for nonservice-connected pension benefits was granted as of June 18, 2002. The effective date cannot be earlier than this date due to the criteria for permanent and total disability not being met prior to that time.

The Board denied the reopening of the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a hearing at the RO before a Decision Review Officer (DRO). The case will be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or significant functional loss, and the current conditions do not meet the schedular requirements for a compensable rating.

The veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the destruction of his service medical records and the need to obtain additional evidence, including physical examinations from civilian employment and morning reports from military training.

The veteran's claimed knee, elbow, and shoulder disorders are not considered to have been incurred or aggravated by service. The Board finds that the symptoms he experienced were due to known clinical diagnoses and do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied secondary service connection for left knee pathology, finding that the veteran's degenerative changes in the left knee were more likely due to age than to his service-connected shell fragment wounds.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition and a lumbar spine condition, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the right knee claim and concluding that there was no current disability or link between the claimed conditions and service.