Knee decisions — 2006

The veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected left knee instability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to incomplete medical records and need for a nexus opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the veteran's bilateral knee disorder, which may be related to service or parachute jumps.

The Board found that the reduction in the evaluation from 20 percent to 10 percent was not consistent with VA regulations and denied the claim for an increased evaluation. The veteran's left knee disorder is currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and compensable evaluations for her back and knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, effective October 4, 2000, resulted in a combined disability rating of 80 percent. The RO determined that the veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, effective October 4, 2000.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the veteran with examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his elbow and knee disabilities.

The veteran's appeal for service connection of a right knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for a hearing.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service and have denied his claims for service connection.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher than 30 percent rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected chondromalacia of the right and left knees did not warrant an initial rating higher than 10 percent, as it only produced slight recurrent subluxation or lateral instability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 60 percent, as his symptoms are currently manifested by severe pain and weakness. The claim for an increased evaluation is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the veteran's psychiatric disability. The left knee disability claim is also being remanded for proper notification and development.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a higher rating for her right knee disability, finding that it did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent under the applicable diagnostic codes. The Board noted that while the veteran reported symptoms such as pain and swelling, physical examination findings were within normal limits with no significant functional loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic right knee strain is service-connected, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right knee disability is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, right inguinal hernia, mental disability (major depressive disorder), and right knee disability due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has granted higher initial ratings of 20 percent for service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left knee and tear of the right knee lateral meniscus, effective from August 2003.

The Board found that the veteran's arthritis of both knees was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service and denied his claim.