Knee decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee disability, diagnosed as arthritis and synovitis, was incurred during his active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right hand contusion and left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of right and left leg injuries, finding that new evidence did not reopen his claim and that the current conditions are not related to service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected skin disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for patellofemoral syndrome of the left and right knees, as well as bilateral plantar fasciitis, were denied. The conditions are characterized by mild symptoms that do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The veteran's right knee disability, characterized as residuals of a right knee injury with meniscectomy and ligament laxity, has been rated at 20% since July 1, 1999. The rating was increased to 30% effective February 8, 2005 for degenerative arthritis.

The Board has determined that the veteran timely filed a notice of disagreement to the April 2000 rating decision, and thus grants this issue. The effective date for the increased ratings is set at November 14, 2001.

The veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are rated as noncompensable under the revised criteria for Diagnostic Code 7805. The Board finds no limitation of motion due to scars in either knee, and thus a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete examination reports and the need for proper VCAA notification.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a left knee injury and traumatic arthritis do not warrant ratings in excess of 30 percent and 10 percent, respectively. The current ratings are considered appropriate based on the clinical manifestations of the conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been addressed. The RO has granted a 10% rating for the residuals of a fracture of the left 5th metatarsal head effective December 17, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right knee disorder or left hand disorder related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder, left knee, left wrist, and lumbar spine disabilities are related to her military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder and granted a 10 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss with perforated right ear drum.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling examinations to assess his left knee, left thigh, back disability, and hearing loss.

The veteran's appeal was denied for increased rating and service connection. The RO confirmed the current 40% rating for his right knee disorder, but denied service connection for cervical strain and multiple other conditions.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected internal derangement of the left knee, and denied any increase in rating for post-traumatic degenerative changes of the left knee.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, right arm impairment, and depression. The claim of service connection for floppy mitral valve syndrome was reopened but not granted. The claim of service connection for left knee disability was not granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current range of motion or any other applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the new evidence submitted was not material.