Knee decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for effective dates prior to September 1, 2000 for left knee disability; January 16, 2002 for tinnitus; and August 1, 2002 for PTSD. The claim for a 100 percent rating for PTSD was also denied.

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

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee meniscectomy residuals and arthritis were denied. The veteran is currently rated at 20 percent for the residuals of a left knee meniscectomy, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5257. He is also rated at 10 percent for his service-connected left knee arthritis.

The Board found that the current right knee conditions are not related to service or any pre-existing condition, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee and thumb disabilities have been denied. The RO has considered the evidence and determined that a compensable rating is not warranted for the right thumb disability, while separate 10 percent evaluations are assigned for each of the left and right knees.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral knee condition was not incurred or aggravated during her active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and therefore denied service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knees were denied due to failure to report for a VA examination without good cause.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee and lumbosacral spine disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, hip disability, increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees, and laxity of the left knee. The decision also confirmed and continued the current noncompensable rating for pulmonary pleural plaquing.

The Board finds that the veteran's current right knee disability is not service-connected as it did not manifest during his active duty and there is no evidence linking it to a service-connected condition. The claim for secondary service connection due to a service-connected left knee disability was also denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities were denied. The RO found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of the currently assigned disability ratings.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection and, applying the reasonable doubt doctrine, finds that the veteran's pre-existing left knee disability was aggravated during active service. The claim is therefore granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee internal derangement with lateral instability and degenerative arthritis, as well as his claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral knee disability is service-connected, as there is evidence of a current disability with continuity of symptoms since service and an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that a medical examination is necessary to determine the current extent and severity of the veteran's service-connected right knee disability, including any symptoms due to nonservice-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee and right hip disabilities have been denied as there is no new and material evidence submitted, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The veteran's appeal for service connection of a knee condition has been dismissed due to his death.

The veteran's left ankle disability was not granted a compensable rating prior to November 17, 2003 and a rating in excess of 10 percent from that date forward. The veteran's left knee disability was also not granted a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence showing the veteran has a right knee disorder related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in notification and additional development is required.