Knee decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right clavicle fracture with degenerative joint disease and arthritis, right knee, status post meniscectomy.

The VA has granted an increased disability rating of 50% for the veteran's right hip disability, status-post total hip replacement, effective January 5, 2004. The previous evaluation was 30%.

The veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his left knee disorder was denied. Prior to August 14, 2001, the rating remained at 20 percent due to symptoms including pain and locking. After total knee replacement surgery on August 14, 2001, a 30 percent rating has been assigned since October 1, 2002.

The Board found that the veteran's current right knee disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 30 percent effective June 11, 2005. The left knee remains rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's patellar femoral syndrome of the right knee is related to his service, and he was granted service connection for this condition. The claims for HIV, depression, and migraine headaches are not addressed as they were not part of the original appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected postoperative malignant schwannoma of the right knee and residuals of a gunshot wound to the right shoulder, Muscle Group III.

The Board found that the appellant does not have a low back disability, right knee disability, or left knee disability that is attributable to military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining private and VA treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and issuing a statement of the case on new issues.

The veteran is granted an extension of a temporary total evaluation beyond December 31, 2002 for convalescence following surgery on his service-connected right knee disability. The claim to reopen the hepatitis C service connection is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and arthritis of the knees, finding no current diagnosis for PTSD and noting that there is no competent evidence linking arthritis to service or scarlet fever.

The Board found no evidence of a low back, left shoulder, or right knee disability during the veteran's active service. The current diagnoses are not related to his military service.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the destruction of service medical records. The veteran is asked to provide any alternative evidence supporting his claim.

The veteran's claim for specially adapted housing assistance or a special home adaptation grant was denied as he does not meet the specified criteria for financial assistance due to his service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and did not address the issue of new and material evidence. The veteran's request to reopen his claim was found insufficient, resulting in denial.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for status post repair of the meniscal lesion with ACL reconstruction or a separate rating for arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain additional medical records and provide a VA examination to assess the nature, time of onset, and etiology of any current disorders of the right knee and low back that the veteran now has.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee strain, residuals of a shrapnel wound of the left leg, and degenerative arthritis of the right knee. The increased rating claim for chondromalacia patella of the right knee is held in abeyance pending further examination. Service connection for a scar of the right patella remains denied.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for left knee instability and arthritis, as well as a compensable rating for the scar of the left knee, was denied. Service connection for a right leg/knee disorder was also not granted.

The veteran's left knee disability, including as secondary to his bilateral knee disability, is service-connected and rated at 10 percent. The VA has also granted a separate evaluation for limitation of extension of the left knee since April 4, 2005.