Knee decisions — 2006

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee in an October 12, 2005 decision. The motion argues that this decision is incorrect due to a failure to apply 38 U.S.C.A. § 1154(b).

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a hearing conducted by a Veterans Law Judge who is no longer associated with the Board.

The veteran's claim is being remanded for further development to assess his employment capabilities and suitability for vocational rehabilitation training.

The veteran's earlier effective date claims for COPD and TDIU were decided, with the COPD claim granted but the TDIU claim denied.

The Board finds that the veteran's right knee disorder is secondary to his service-connected left knee disability and grants this claim.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected retropatellar pain syndrome, left knee. The other issues have been resolved in favor of the veteran.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected shell fragment wound of the left knee, right thigh and knee, and PTSD have been denied. The RO found that the current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the appropriate rating and service connection for his left knee and right knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a left leg disability, low back disability, bilateral knee disability, and right leg disability due to pending procedural and evidentiary development.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to his request for a personal hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus, PTSD, and chronic back and right knee disabilities are all service-connected. The tongue disorder is also considered service-connected.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including additional VA examinations and review of his vocational rehabilitation file.

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

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and clarify the effective date of any potential award.

The veteran's service-connected left knee arthrosis with degenerative changes is rated at 60 percent effective March 16, 2005. The issue of a higher evaluation for the disability remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent for arthritis prior to September 25, 1998 and a rating in excess of 30 percent for total left knee arthroplasty from December 1, 1999.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with the lumbar spine disability receiving a 20 percent rating and the right knee disability receiving a 30 percent rating.

The Board has granted an increased rating for the veteran's left knee disability from 10 percent to 20 percent.

The Board is remanding the case to consider whether the veteran may be entitled to separate ratings for his left knee and ankle disabilities, or additional ratings based on service-connected disability of the left ankle and knee.

The VA denied an increased disability rating for the veteran's service-connected synovitis of the right knee, currently rated at 10 percent.