Knee decisions — 2005

The veteran's service-connected and nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a nonservice-connected pension.

The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for the veteran's low back syndrome with left sacroiliac joint pain and degenerative disc disease, effective from the date of the decision. The ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy (10%), left lower extremity radiculopathy (10%), and osteoarthritis of the right knee remain unchanged at 10 percent each.

The veteran's service-connected dysthymic disorder, right knee disability, and postoperative residuals of a duodenal ulcer are all rated at their current levels. The RO has granted the requested increased ratings.

The Board has determined that a rating greater than 20 percent for DJD with limitation of motion of the right knee is not warranted based on current evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting right knee disorder did not increase in severity during service and is less likely than not related to service. Therefore, service connection for a right knee disorder was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right knee disorders, finding that current conditions are not related to any injury or disease in service.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee and left ankle disorders are not secondary to his service-connected disabilities, thus denying all claims.

The VA has granted service connection for right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, each rated at 10 percent. The veteran's claims for higher ratings have been denied as there is no evidence of more than the normal functional loss due to pain or other factors.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition, right ankle disorder, and bilateral knee disorders due to lack of legal merit.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his chondromalacia of the left knee was granted, with a 10 percent disability rating effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral knee chondromalacia, resulting in a denial of this request.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have arthritis of the left knee that is related to service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's left hip fracture is rated at 40 percent, her low back disability at 20 percent, and her left knee arthralgia at 60 percent. The combined rating for the left knee disability does not exceed 60 percent, which is the maximum allowed.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee condition and a low back condition as secondary to a service-connected ankle disability, finding no evidence of a current diagnosis or a nexus between the conditions and any in-service injury or disease.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of DJD of the right hip or bilateral knees, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's combined service-connected rating is 60 percent, which does not meet the requirement for a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record, including a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for the residuals of injuries to the back, ribs, and right knee due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, granulomatous disease, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and exercise-induced asthma with urticaria are all denied. The Board finds no evidence of these conditions during active service or that they were aggravated by service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and low back disabilities as well as a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.