Knee decisions — 2006

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for low back, right knee, left knee, and depressive disorders due to lack of current diagnoses and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for traumatic arthritis of the right knee. As such, this issue is dismissed.

The Board found that the veteran's current right knee, bilateral foot, and bilateral big toe disorders are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied an increased rating for both chondromalacia and traumatic arthritis of the left knee, as they are already rated at 10 percent.

The VA denied compensable ratings for the veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle injuries and left knee injury, attributing symptoms to non-service-connected conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for right knee arthritis, effective from the date of the claim. The veteran's left knee lateral meniscus tear and instability are not rated higher as they do not meet the criteria for more severe impairment.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back disability and granted it. The right shoulder condition is denied, but the right knee condition related to patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee is granted.,Service connection was established for a back disability due to an in-service injury. Service connection for a right shoulder condition was denied as there was no evidence linking the current condition to service. The right knee condition secondary to the left knee condition is now service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of a right knee injury, and gynecological disorder including irregular menstrual periods.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine, bilateral knee, and right thumb disabilities. The case is being remanded to issue a Statement of the Case regarding the right thumb disorder.

The veteran's appeal involves two issues: an initial evaluation for patellar tendonitis of the left knee and a claim for increased disability ratings for cervicodorsolumbosacral strain. The Board has determined that there is mixed disposition, with some issues granted and others not.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an extension of a temporary total rating beyond April 1, 2005 due to insufficient evidence showing that he required additional convalescence following his left knee surgery.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right pterygium was not shown to cause any loss of vision, while the inactive pulmonary tuberculosis did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The veteran's appeal seeking an increased rating for his service-connected right knee disorder was dismissed due to abandonment of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to reopening a claim and service connection.

The veteran's service connection claims for right foot degenerative joint disease, degenerative joint disease of the knees, and degenerative joint/disc disease of the lumbar spine are all granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the veteran's service-connected knee disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various disabilities have been denied. The RO has granted service connection, but not the requested increased ratings or earlier effective dates.

The veteran's service-connected left knee injury is currently manifested by DJD, but does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The right leg and bilateral foot disorders are not found to be related to his service-connected left knee injury.