Knee decisions — 2006

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a rating greater than 20 percent for his residuals of a shell fragment wound of the left knee with arthritis, finding that the current disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders due to incomplete development of records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's current knee and back disabilities. The claims will be reconsidered after these actions are completed.

The veteran's service-connected right knee chondromalacia patella and osteoarthritis are currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5010. The veteran's right knee scars do not warrant a compensable evaluation as they are small, nonpainful, and do not limit motion or function. His left eye scar also does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination. The issues of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, right knee disability, and left knee disorder are on appeal.

The VA has determined that the veteran's right knee disability does not warrant a higher rating, and he is not entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, a right hip disorder as secondary to a right knee disorder, and sterility due to exposure to non-ionizing radiation. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated during military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back and right knee disabilities are not related to his active service, and thus denied these claims. The left knee disability is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left knee disability is not service-connected, as there was no evidence of a chronic condition present in or within one year after service. The current left knee disability is not related to any incident in service.

The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease with hypertension effective January 16, 1997. The veteran's earlier claim of June 28, 1994, was considered as part of the same appeal process.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability is granted, with a separate 10 percent rating for inactive osteomyelitis of the left patella. The claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for limitation of motion of the left knee associated with osteomyelitis is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current arthritis of the knees is not related to his service-connected residuals of rheumatic fever, and thus denied the claim.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disorders, but granted a 20% evaluation for residuals of burn, medial right thigh.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sleep disturbance, low back disability, and right knee disability as secondary to his service-connected bilateral heel spur syndrome due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current osteoarthritis of the right knee is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle and right knee conditions secondary to his service-connected gunshot wound to the right hip. The decision found no chronic bilateral ankle disability and noted that there was no medical evidence of a current bilateral ankle disorder.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected post traumatic chondromalacia of the left knee with instability, and therefore denies the claim.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence of a respiratory disorder, and the veteran's claims for residuals of left and right knee injuries have been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus warrants a 20 percent rating, but no higher. The right knee disability is not rated higher than 20 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of multiple joints, including arthritis of her hands. The VA examiner could not provide a definitive etiological relationship between any diagnosed conditions and military service.