Knee decisions — 2006

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to unclear current severity of the right knee disorder and need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's eye disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's DJD of the left knee, right knee, and lumbosacral spine are related to service. However, there is no evidence linking rheumatoid arthritis to service.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status is denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and instability of the right knee, finding that no higher rating was warranted based on the evidence.

The veteran's right knee disorder status post meniscal repair is currently rated at 20 percent, which reflects moderate instability. The claim for a higher rating is denied as the evidence does not support a finding of more than moderate instability or effusion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating of lumbar spine arthritis and service connection for bilateral hip and knee disabilities as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine arthritis.

The Board has ordered the RO to assign separate disability ratings for the veteran's osteoarthritis of the right hand, left hand, and right knee. The case is now remanded for this purpose.

The veteran's request for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder with degenerative arthritis is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing at the RO conducted by a Veterans Law Judge sitting in Washington, DC.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of ureterolithiasis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, and medial meniscus tear have been denied as there is no evidence to support a higher rating based on current disability levels.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral ankle disability and curvature of the lumbar spine with neuropathy are not related to his service-connected left knee disability. The claim for an increased rating for left knee disability, post reconstruction, is granted.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's right knee instability, finding evidence of severe instability based on prior examinations and X-rays showing degenerative changes. The limitation in extension to 10 degrees is also considered.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right knee warrants a 10 percent rating, as there is no evidence to support an increased rating.

The Board found no evidence of a current left hip or left knee disability and denied service connection for these conditions, finding the claims not supported by medical evidence.

The Board found that the evidence was new and material, but denied service connection for a left knee disability. The claim for an increased rating of right knee disability remains pending as it has not been fully adjudicated.

The Board finds that the veteran's service-connected cervical spine disorder is at least as likely as not the cause of his current headaches. The VA examiner opined that the veteran's current head disorders, including headaches, are most likely related to his service-connected cervical spine disorder. As for knee disorders and atrophy of the right leg, there is no evidence in the record linking these conditions to active service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable due to his knee conditions alone, as he is currently employed and capable of engaging in sedentary work.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied all the claims except for the low back claim. The veteran's left varicocele was granted a 0 percent evaluation, but no other conditions were found to be service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee, left posterior thigh, right thigh, and right upper arm shell fragment wound residuals including scars.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for color blindness, bilateral knee problems, and defective hearing due to a lack of in-service medical records and insufficient post-service clinical records. The Board found no credible medical opinion linking any current disabilities to service.