Knee decisions — 2006

The veteran's left knee arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the examination findings support this rating based on limitation of motion.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA orthopedic examination and additional medical records, particularly from his recent treatment at the VAMC in Little Rock.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for left and right knee disorders, as the veteran's current diagnoses were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disability in service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has denied the appellant's application to reopen her claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that she did not submit new and material evidence regarding the veteran's service-connected disabilities at the time of his death.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee condition is related to service and granted service connection for residuals of a right knee injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability, including arthritis, warrants a separate 10 percent rating but not an increased evaluation for the status-post left knee medial collateral ligament tear.

The veteran's right knee disability warrants a 10 percent rating, and her PTSD warrants an initial evaluation of 30 percent.

The veteran's right knee disability, postoperative lateral meniscectomy, was rated at 10 percent prior to April 26, 2005. As of that date, the limitation of extension and flexion warranted a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of a crush injury of the left foot and residuals of a left knee injury.

The Board has ordered a remand to clarify whether the veteran's right knee disability is aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has denied service connection for right knee amputation and depression, finding that the veteran's claims are not supported by competent medical evidence. The Board also found that any claimed depression is not secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected left knee disability and for extensions of a temporary total evaluation based on convalescence following surgeries in February 1998 and May 1999.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for post-operative internal derangement of the right knee has been dismissed due to his death.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with the right knee and left ankle conditions receiving a 20 percent rating each. The adjustment disorder claim was also granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, and lung disorder due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a right knee disability, left knee condition, bronchitis, ulcer, hypertension, and cardiac condition. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's revision of the total left knee replacement is granted with a 100 percent rating from March 7, 2001 to April 30, 2002. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and right ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, consideration of Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and review of applicable regulations.

The veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent due to lateral instability. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his symptoms and does not warrant a higher evaluation based on the evidence provided.