Knee decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteochondritis dissecans. The Board also found that the pre-existing condition was aggravated by active service, allowing for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected right knee disability, right great toe fracture, and allergic rhinitis were not found to warrant a compensable rating prior to January 20, 2005.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis in the knees, arthritis in the feet, and gout as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of these conditions or a link between them and his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to grant the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied as her right and left knee disabilities did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on current symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right and left knee disabilities were not incurred during active service, and therefore may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee condition, including as secondary to his service-connected left knee chondromalacia, did not meet the criteria for service connection. The claim for an increased evaluation of his left knee chondromalacia was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, as the medical records did not establish a causal relationship between his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and his service-connected foot condition.

The VA determined that the appellant's right knee disability, previously rated as a post-operative scar, warranted an increased rating to 20 percent effective January 23, 2003. The current evidence does not support a higher rating based on instability or other complications.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, effective from the date of the September 2003 decision. A separate 10 percent rating is also granted for instability of the right knee.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his ability to perform some forms of gainful employment despite his knee conditions.

The veteran is seeking an increased disability rating for his service-connected right knee disability, currently rated at 10 percent. The case has been remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The VA denied a claim for a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected status post surgical repair and anterior cruciate ligament tear as a residual of a left knee injury, finding that the condition is principally manifested by pain with objective findings of flexion to 135 degrees.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence of current left shoulder, back, or knee disabilities. The veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The Board found that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of both knees was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to a service-connected disability. The claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's service-connected right knee instability and arthritis have been rated at 10 percent each, with no higher ratings granted for either condition.

The veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including special monthly compensation, increased ratings for various conditions, service connection claims, and reopening of a claim. The case is being remanded to the RO for further action.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and reopening of service connection claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and VCAA compliance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected left and right knee patellofemoral syndromes, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated during service and did not develop as a result of an established event, injury, or disease. The claims for service connection were denied.