Knee decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for increased evaluations for patellofemoral syndrome of both knees is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration.

The Board found that the veteran's current right knee disability is not related to his in-service injury and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a right knee disability, residuals of a concussion, laceration of the lower lip, or dental condition that is related to his period of service. As such, these claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not file a timely notice of disagreement within one year of the March 20, 1990 and August 29, 1996 decisions denying his claims for service connection. As such, these decisions are final.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees, as well as his residuals from arthroscopic surgery on the right knee and chondromalacia of the left knee. The evidence did not support an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found no evidence of current knee disability, specifically arthritis, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral arthritis of the knees.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for DJD of the left hip and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for DJD of the right knee. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 20% since December 1, 2005. The RO granted a separate rating for painful motion caused by arthritis of the left knee.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for her left knee sprain disability, finding that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has directed the RO to obtain additional records pertaining to the veteran's claim for an increased rating for a lateral meniscus injury of the left knee. The claim will be readjudicated by the RO and, if necessary, a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) will be provided.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right hip and right knee osteoarthritis are not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and sacroiliac joints.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral knee disability, hiatal hernia, depression, celiac disease, and dental caries, were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The claim for dental caries is denied as there is no evidence of a current condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional information and a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right wrist and right knee disabilities do not warrant an increased evaluation based on the evidence of record.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and cardiovascular disorders secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The increased rating claim for residuals of medial meniscectomy with medial compartment osteoarthritis of the right knee is also denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a temporary total convalescent rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 due to surgery performed on his service-connected left knee in January 1999, as the claim was received more than one year after the medical procedure.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's left knee disability, effective from February 7, 2003. Additionally, the Board has granted a separate 30 percent rating for instability of the left knee, also effective from February 7, 2003.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disability does not warrant a rating greater than 10 percent, as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current left and right knee chondromalacia patella to service, resulting in a denial of both claims.