Knee decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's left and right knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for a fracture of the right knee, tibial plateau, postoperative, currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right ankle disability and service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of current disability or in-service incurrence/aggravation.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's right knee disorder, which is currently diagnosed as arthritis and degenerative joint disease, was not incurred or aggravated by service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance due to her ability to perform daily activities with assistance.

The veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and further development of his left knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for right and left knee disabilities, as well as a skin disability. The RO found that the current range of motion in both knees did not warrant an evaluation higher than 10 percent, and there was no evidence of instability or additional functional impairment with repeated use.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and requests for information have not been fully addressed. The veteran's claims for bilateral knee disabilities and bilateral hand disabilities are pending.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of the evidence is against service connection for all claimed conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for TDIU and an extra-schedular evaluation for his right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of exceptional or unusual disability warranting extraschedular consideration.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected left ankle sprain and right knee strain were denied as the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's left below the knee amputation with chronic reflex sympathetic dystrophy is rated at the highest schedular evaluation allowed, and his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment. The shell fragment wound to the left shoulder does not meet a compensable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of evidence is against finding a right knee disorder was caused or aggravated by residuals of left knee anterior cruciate ligament repair, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 7, 2004 for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied as he is not entitled to earlier effective dates under the regulations governing grants based on liberalizing changes in the law.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an effective date earlier than July 17, 1991 for the grant of service connection for bipartite patella of the right knee. The appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are related to his service, and granted service connection for most of the disabilities listed. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have residuals of right knee sprain or arthritis due to service, and therefore denied the claim.

The veteran's claim is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examination of his left knee disability. The RO will consider whether a separate rating should be assigned for surgical scarring related to the veteran's left knee.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee arthritis and hypertension do not warrant increased evaluations as they are currently rated, with no evidence of more than the current assigned ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a right knee disorder and therefore, service connection for residuals of a right knee injury is denied.