Knee decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy and multiple operative scars of the left knee was granted. The effective date for the TDIU rating is set at February 27, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 30 percent and 10 percent, respectively, for his right knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, including his degenerative joint disease, warrants a separate 10 percent evaluation as of September 15, 2005. The original claim for an increased rating remains denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection or higher ratings for any of his claimed conditions. The appeals are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hip, knee, and foot conditions are service-connected based on direct evidence of in-service injury and current disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disorder, which includes patella tendonitis and tibia fibroma, warrants an initial rating of 10 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for any higher schedular rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the veteran's right femur fracture residuals and right knee disorder, including whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board is remanding the case to allow for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the earliest available opportunity.

The veteran is seeking increased disability ratings for his service-connected left knee and lumbar spine disabilities. The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The VA denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, concluding that there is no medical evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, lumbar spondylosis, and residuals of radiation exposure as there was no in-service injury or exposure to ionizing radiation. The claim for residuals of radiation exposure is denied because the veteran did not participate in a recognized radiation-risk activity.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 14, 2002 for the grant of a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The decision found that there was no evidence of an informal claim or written intent to file a claim for service connection before June 14, 2002.

The veteran's initial ratings for post-operative left knee with arthritis and slight varus/valgus instability of the left knee have been granted, but he continues to disagree with the assigned initial ratings.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected right knee disorder, manifested by painful limitation of motion and severe degenerative arthritis, warranted a rating of 30 percent disabling.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to additional evidence and argument received from the veteran.

The Board found that the veteran's case was properly placed in interrupted status and subsequently discontinued, and denied her claim for additional vocational rehabilitation training.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic migraine-type headaches. Service connection is denied for residuals of a left knee ligamentous injury.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left knee injury and granted service connection for numbness of the left arm and hand. The other claims are pending.

The VA denied the appellant's claim for an increased rating for his right knee arthritis, which was currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The appeal is based on a history of right knee injury and arthritis.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current right knee disability is not related to service and denied his claim for direct service connection.