Knee decisions — 2006

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation, and thus denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right knee disability, including early degenerative osteoarthritis and possible torn ACL, is at least as likely as not caused by or related to his in-service injury. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are not sufficiently disabling to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU rating claim is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, left ankle disorder, and left knee disorder. The evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left leg disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining missing VA and Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and arranging for a new examination to evaluate his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain missing service medical records, verify the veteran's dates of service with a reserve component, and obtain updated VA examination opinions. The appeal will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee and left ankle disabilities are not related to his service, with the exception of pes planus which was noted at entry but did not worsen during service.,Tinea pedis is not currently shown in the record.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting pes planus did not worsen during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection. The Board also determined that he did not have any current disabilities involving the lumbosacral spine, cervical spine, hips, knees or ankles due to disease or injury incurred in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations, finding that he failed without good cause.

The appellant withdrew his appeal for an increased initial rating for arthritis of the left knee, effective from December 1, 2002, and in excess of 20 percent from July 7, 2006.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities, as well as his lumbosacral strain with disc disease, were denied. The evidence did not support the assignment of higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities was denied. The VA determined that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for either knee.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability and a back disability, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has raised questions about whether the veteran's current spouse can be recognized as his dependent spouse for VA purposes. The case is being remanded to obtain necessary documentation and ensure proper notification under the VCAA.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for his degenerative joint disease of the right and left knees have been granted, with a rating of 20 percent each.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluations for arthritis of the left knee and left knee laxity was granted, with a 10 percent evaluation assigned for each condition. The decision also noted that prior to February 23, 2004, she had a compensable evaluation for left knee laxity.

The Board granted service connection and increased disability ratings for various conditions, including a left knee disorder, subdermal pruritis (skin disorder), and a left shoulder disorder. The veteran's initial ankle sprain rating was also increased.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination to determine if the veteran's left knee degenerative changes are proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disabilities.