Knee decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and left knee disorder, as well as his claim for an increased rating for right knee arthritis with post-operative residuals of an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a causal relationship between the veteran's current complaints and any inservice injuries.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee disability is not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking it to his military service or a pre-existing condition. The claim for secondary service connection based on the veteran's service-connected left ankle disability was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information about the veteran's service periods. The AOJ is instructed to verify these periods and then return the case for further review.

The Board granted a 20 percent evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the left knee, effective from August 2001. The veteran's service-connected left knee instability was separately evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current bilateral knee disorder or stomach disorder in service, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any such disorders are related to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and thus denied his claim for TDIU.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of permanent and total disability.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 20 percent for right knee fracture residuals, finding that the veteran's symptoms warrant such a rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disability, but denied claims for left knee injury, left ankle disability, residuals of a right hand injury, and carpal tunnel syndrome in the hands. The veteran's current disabilities are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability. The veteran was found to have degenerative joint disease of the knees, but not arthritis, due to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for multiple sclerosis, residuals of right knee injury, bronchitis (claimed as a residual of tobacco use), postoperative bilateral inguinal hernias, and lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes.

The Board granted a higher initial rating of 30 percent for the veteran's uterine fibroids from August 1, 1994 to April 22, 2002. The effective date is set as of August 1, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's conditions do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for recurrent left knee strain, status post arthroscopy with partial meniscectomy and plantar fasciitis.

The veteran's claims for service connection and initial evaluation are being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including providing proper VCAA notice and obtaining additional medical records. The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his left knee disability is also being considered.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of internal derangement of the right knee and degenerative arthritis of the right knee from April 15, 2002, to November 4, 2002.

The Board denied increased ratings for various knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as instability of the knees. The veteran's service-connected conditions were not found to warrant higher evaluations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and right hand injuries, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU due to incomplete evidence, including unassociated medical records and a need for further examinations.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for synovitis, osteoarthritis, and severe degenerative joint disease of the left knee was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.