Knee decisions — 2005

The veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 40 percent, and his left knee arthritis has been granted service connection. The RO found that the veteran's current disability was not related to active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date are being remanded due to incomplete development of records.

The veteran's shell fragment wound scars to the right knee have not met the criteria for a compensable rating since August 30, 2002.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple joint pain and degenerative joint disease of both knees, finding that the veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The decision is based on new evidence provided by the veteran.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims for increased disability evaluations for cicatrixes of various body parts.

The veteran's left knee disorder, GERD and gastric polyps, skin disorder, right leg tumor, back disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of the hands and shoulders were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.,There is no competent medical evidence linking any of these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, which includes instability but no arthritis or significant limitation of motion, warrants a 10 percent rating. The claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, right knee disorder, and anxiety disorder were denied in June 1983 and August 1998 respectively. The RO did not receive substantive appeals within one year of these decisions.

The veteran's right femur disability was aggravated during service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. His degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine and osteoarthritis of the knees were also incurred in active service.

The Board has restored the 30 percent rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and granted a separate 30 percent evaluation for right knee laxity based on the severity of the appellant's disability.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee strain with arthritis was granted, and he is now rated at 10 percent effective April 5, 2001.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection of low back disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee arthritis. The RO had previously denied these claims in May 2001 and December 2002.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The left knee disability was rated at 20% under DC 5257, while the right knee disability was rated at 10% under DC 5257.

The RO has granted increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees, each rated at 10 percent.,However, no increase was granted for arthritis of the wrists or lumbosacral spine.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for her service-connected patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, finding that it did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current severity.

The veteran's service connection claims for low back, right knee, right ankle, and bilateral hip disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination.

The Board found no evidence that the veteran's right knee arthritis is related to his service, and denied the claim. However, the left knee arthritis was granted.