Knee decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee instability and arthritis do not warrant increased disability ratings beyond the current 20 percent for instability and 10 percent for arthritis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found no evidence of VA negligence or fault in the veteran's left knee disability, and denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for compliance with VCAA requirements, including providing notice and assistance in obtaining evidence necessary to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her claims, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected right knee disabilities and left knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for total right knee replacement and for an earlier effective date prior to April 12, 1994 for the grant of service connection for right knee replacement. The veteran is not entitled to either claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for his service connection awards, finding that the appropriate effective dates were February 24, 1998.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and increased ratings for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and right knee, finding that there was no causal relationship between his service-connected left knee disorder and his cervical spine or knee disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral knee disability and bone loss with loss of teeth are not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and right thumb injuries, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or painful motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left and right knee disorders are likely due to injuries sustained during service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back and right knee disabilities are secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, and granted service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The service-connected conditions did not warrant higher ratings, and the effective date of any rating changes was not established.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a left knee injury, currently rated as 10 percent disabling, do not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for proper VCAA notice.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including verification of service dates and obtaining medical records. The RO will also provide proper VCAA notice.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 20, 2001 and October 15, 1998 for grants of service connection for a mood disorder with anxiety and depression, right knee patellofemoral subluxation syndrome, patellar tendonitis, and right knee DJD. The RO must consider whether the veteran filed a timely Substantive Appeal in these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any service-connected conditions, and thus denied all claims for service connection.