Knee decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for instability of the right knee and traumatic arthritis of both knees, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability is etiologically related to his active military service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current disabilities for the claimed conditions, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in the case, including obtaining VA medical records from 1992 and scheduling an orthopedic examination to determine the current nature and etiology of any claimed left shoulder and left knee disorders.

The veteran's right knee disability, following surgery, is currently rated at 30 percent. His left knee degenerative joint disease also warrants a 30 percent rating. The Board has granted the requested increased ratings for both disabilities and found that he meets criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's schedular guidelines.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his condition. The case will be reviewed after scheduling an orthopedic examination and considering all provided medical records.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for left knee instability and denied any compensable rating for varicose veins of the left leg.

The veteran's right knee disorders, including the status post right knee acute rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and traumatic arthritis, are rated at 20 percent. The left knee trauma with laceration is rated at 10 percent. The residuals of a shell fragment wound of the left upper arm (Muscle Group V) are also rated at 10 percent. The veteran's orchialgia is rated at 10 percent, and his bilateral hearing loss is rated as compensable prior to May 1, 2003, with an increased rating effective from that date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and restoration of a compensable rating for his right fibula fracture, finding that he did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on the nature of his disability.

The veteran's right knee condition is rated at 20 percent, his fracture of the right distal tibia and fibula at 10 percent, and his low back strain at 10 percent. The RO has granted all these ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for hemorrhoids, service connection for PTSD, body strain including the chest, back, and abdomen, and reopening of claims for bronchitis and a left knee disability. The RO also denied the claim for an increased rating for hemorrhoids.

The veteran withdrew his appeal of the issues of entitlement to service connection for low spine and heart disorders prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of chronic lumbar or cervical spine pathology during service or within one year post-service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the knees, ankles, and hands was denied. His claim for an increased rating for residuals of undulant fever with arthritis in the knees, ankles, and left wrist was also denied.

The appellant has withdrawn his appeals regarding the increased rating for chondromalacia of the left knee and the initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis and medial joint space narrowing of the right knee. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability and remanded it to the RO for further action, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current left knee disorder to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for left total knee replacement and metatarsalgia of the left foot were denied. The current ratings are 30 percent for the knee and 10 percent for the foot.

The Board found that the appellant's right knee disorder existed prior to service and was not aggravated by military service.