Knee decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of a combined 30 percent evaluation for his postoperative left knee disability, finding that there was not sufficient limitation of motion or other impairment to warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board found no evidence of a current chronic left knee disability related to the veteran's service-connected left ankle disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating during any of the periods under consideration.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee and low back disabilities were not incurred as a result of his service-connected right shoulder disability, thus denying these claims.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a service-connected disability for any of the conditions claimed, including right ear hearing loss, left shoulder, left ankle, neck, or bilateral knee disabilities. The veteran's claims are therefore denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of left hand injury to the 4th and 5th digits with limitation of motion. The veteran's claim for a laceration scar of the 5th metacarpal, left hand was granted with a 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hospitalization at Norton Community Hospital for an emergency condition was necessary and that no feasible VA facilities were available, thus allowing reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for left hip, left ankle, right ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination and review of service records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for hypertension (reopening of a previously denied claim), right thumb scars, and residuals of inguinal herniorrhaphy. The decision on the issue of service connection for bilateral knee disability was not provided.

The veteran is seeking service connection for arthritis of the hips, knees and back. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to deficiencies in the duty to notify, and for obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied a rating in excess of the current 20 percent for DJD of the right knee, finding that the veteran's range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board found that the veteran's right total knee replacement residuals do not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, as his symptoms are within the range contemplated by the current evaluation.

The Board denied a higher rating for the veteran's right knee disability and found that he is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a right knee disorder due to service or secondary to his service-connected left total knee replacement. The claims for increased evaluations of the service-connected internal derangement and traumatic arthritis of the left knee are denied as there is no evidence of current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease and scoliosis of the lumbosacral spine, finding that the veteran's account of his in-service activities as a paratrooper is credible. The left knee disorder was not addressed due to lack of information on the veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's current heart condition, left wrist fracture, and bilateral knee arthritis.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the award of nonservice-connected pension benefits is December 12, 2000.