Knee decisions — 2005

The veteran was granted a separate compensable rating for arthritis with painful or limited motion of the right knee effective November 12, 1991. The RO held that he was entitled to a separate compensable rating based on X-ray findings and painful motion under 38 C.F.R. § 4.59. He was also granted an increased rating for arthritis with painful or limited motion of the right knee effective April 16, 1996.

The VA has granted service connection for the veteran's right knee disability, but denied an increased rating. The initial evaluation assigned is 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as they are rated at less than 60% combined, and there is no evidence that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of entitlement to increased evaluation for his shell fragment wound of the right thigh, service connection for Crohn's Disease, and service connection for a right knee disorder. The rating for the right thigh disability remains at 30 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee arthritis is being remanded due to errors in the development process and lack of compliance with VCAA requirements.

The veteran's right and left knee disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent disabling each, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.,Service connection for a right hip disability has been denied as there is no medical nexus between the current right hip condition and service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for evidence corroborating the veteran's assertions of knee injuries in service and for a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, back, and hip disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service, or related to his service-connected right femur fracture.

The Board has remanded the case for further medical examination to assess the nature of the veteran's scars and readjudicate the claim.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his traumatic arthritis of the left knee and residuals of left knee arthroscopy, as these conditions are considered to be decided on the merits without involving any service connection issues.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected left leg and knee disabilities, finding that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his conditions.

The VA determined that the veteran's right knee disability, with mild degenerative joint disease and full range of motion, did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent for the period March 10, 1999, to January 25, 2004.

The Board found that the veteran currently does not have any chronic right knee disability and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board found that there is insufficient evidence to establish a direct service connection for the veteran's low back and right knee disorders, resulting in their denial.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the veteran's left knee disability. The issue of service connection for Osgood-Schlatter disease is also inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The veteran's service-connected right knee disability, including residuals of right knee surgery and arthritis with limitation of motion, is currently rated at 20 percent. The RO has denied the claims for increased ratings.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for a spine and neck disorder and contusions of bilateral knees. The appeals are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the left knee is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected bilateral foot disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected postoperative residuals of a right knee injury was denied. The current rating of 30 percent is maintained as the disability has been in effect for over 20 years and cannot be reduced under VA regulations.