Knee decisions — 2006

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the grant of service connection for instability of the left ankle, as there is no competent evidence showing a current disability related to an in-service injury.

The Board has granted service connection for a sacroiliac strain, finding that it is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The right knee disorder claim remains pending as further examination and development are needed.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records from the Salem VAMC and Grand Junction, Colorado VAMC. The veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition post-total knee replacement will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and the need for further examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of additional impairment warranting a higher rating.

The veteran's left knee disability, characterized by instability but no limitation of motion or effusion, warrants a 10 percent rating from the effective date of service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his right knee disability and for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and concluding that any current disability is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for lumbar strain, left knee disorder, and hemorrhoids are denied as there is no evidence of a compensable disability rating under applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's right knee disability was manifested by pain and limited flexion to 85 degrees, warranting a 30 percent evaluation. The Board found no basis for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of asbestosis or right knee disability that is related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities interfere with his normal employability, and the Board grants a 10 percent evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324.

The Board has granted service connection for short-term memory loss, fatigue, and a right knee disorder. The veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for herniated nucleus pulposus at L3-4 and reopened the claims of entitlement to service connection for left knee condition, right shoulder sprain, and right knee condition.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his neck injury, low back strain, and left knee condition were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under either the old or new VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records, particularly those from September 2002 to the present.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle condition, finding no competent evidence establishing that he has such a disability.

The Board found that the veteran's right ankle and left knee disorders did not originate in service or due to military exposure, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the veteran did not have current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss, bilateral axillary abscesses, or degenerative arthritis in either knee. The veteran also did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his cervical spine or lumbar spine conditions.

The veteran's chronic post-operative left knee disability to include above the knee amputation residuals was not incurred as a result of VA surgical treatment, hospital care, or medical treatment. The Board found that the veteran's current condition is unrelated to his VA treatment.