Knee decisions — 2006

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for each of the veteran's service-connected patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees, effective as of the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's arthritis of multiple joints, including hips, knees and lumbar spine, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that arthritis is proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO found that the current evaluations for his left knee conditions are appropriate, and there is no evidence of a right hip or hand disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee condition warrants a disability rating of 10 percent for arthritis with limitation of motion, and a separate 10 percent rating for instability. The current ratings are appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee replacement, left knee osteoarthritis, and back disorders, prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have right knee or right leg disability related to military service and therefore, denies his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's convalescent period did not extend beyond September 30, 2002 and denied his claim for extension of a temporary total rating.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The RO granted a 30 percent rating for severe subluxation of the right knee effective February 13, 2004. The veteran's prior claim for higher ratings remains before the Board.

The veteran's service-connected arthralgia of the knees has not met the criteria for a compensable evaluation, and his bilateral plantar fasciitis does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a service-connected tinea pedis, bladder disorder, bilateral knee disorder, or bilateral hip disorder. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the grant of secondary service connection for a left above-the-knee amputation. The case is returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability is service-connected as it occurred during his period of honorable active service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no evidence of ankylosis, instability, subluxation, dislocation of cartilage, or effusion. The current ratings for both knees are deemed appropriate based on their current functional limitations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disorder, knee disorder (unspecified), lumbar disc disease, and unspecified ankle disorder. The October 1955 rating decision denying these claims is final.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee chondromalacia, as well as bilateral pes planus. The initial noncompensable rating assigned for these conditions remains in effect.

The Board has determined that the evidence submitted since the last final denials does not meet the criteria for reopening the claims of service connection for residuals of a right leg/knee injury and left facial condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a head injury, left knee condition, and headaches have been remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for further development and consideration, including providing a VCAA letter to inform the veteran of his rights and responsibilities under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act (VCAA). The decision will be based on whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee conditions were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.