Knee decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for multiple sclerosis and an increased rating for internal derangement of the right knee. The decision found no more than slight impairment in the right knee, without instability or additional limitation due to pain, weakness, incoordination, or fatigability.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination of the left knee.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the May 1998 RO decision is not new and material, thus denying the reopening of the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's arthritis of the left knee, effective from October 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, finding no credible evidence linking any current conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder does not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating higher than 20 percent, as it generally has not resulted in limitation of motion with flexion limited to less than 30 degrees or extension limited by more than 15 degrees. The current rating of 20 percent adequately reflects the veteran's functional limitations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing the veteran with VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and denied his claims for service connection of right and left knee disorders. The RO previously denied these claims based on lack of evidence linking current conditions to military service.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right knee, effective October 2004. The veteran is not entitled to an increased rating prior to that date.

The Board denied increased ratings for varicosities of the left greater saphenous system and hematoma, residuals of a crush injury to the left lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's knee disabilities and arthritis, specifically noting that there is a need for additional development including medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the current left knee disability is not etiologically related to active service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for ptosis and a bilateral knee disorder, as well as his claim for an increased evaluation for left ventricular hypertrophy. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected chondromalacia of the right knee with degenerative changes, finding that the current 20 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Board denied a higher rating for the veteran's right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease, right knee and entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral spine was not addressed.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for reopening his service connection claim and for an increased rating for his status post laminectomy. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been presented to reopen the right knee disorder claim.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disorder and T-12 compression fracture did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and are unrelated to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability is service-connected, but his bilateral knee disability cannot be linked to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of whether a left knee disorder is related to service or secondary to a service-connected right knee disorder.