Knee decisions — 2007

The veteran is appealing the denial of service connection for various conditions, including a right knee condition and cervical spine disability. The appeal also includes claims for increased ratings and secondary service connection. The case must be remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine appropriate rating criteria.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder and granted service connection based on aggravation by military service. Service connection for a left knee disorder is also granted as secondary to the right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability, post-knee replacement, warrants a rating of 30 percent effective from March 1, 2004.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities of the ankles, left hip, or right hip. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that any currently diagnosed bilateral knee disorder, right hip disorder, and low back disorder are causally related to active service, including as secondary to the service-connected pes planus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting left knee disability was aggravated by service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for further examination to determine if the veteran's current left knee disorder is related to service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability was denied as the evidence did not show manifestations warranting a higher rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee, left knee, right hip, and back disorders are not related to his service-connected bilateral foot disability. The claims for secondary service connection were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee arthritis, as well as for his right and left knee instability. The criteria for a higher rating were not met in any of the issues addressed.

The Board has returned the case to the RO due to the veteran's failure to report for scheduled examinations, and the claim is now remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current left knee disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The veteran's chondromalacia of the left knee is currently rated at 10 percent, and his instability of the left knee is also rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee condition, finding that her current diagnosis is not causally related to service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability and left knee disability, but denied reopening of the claim for service connection for a low back disability. The rating for residuals of meniscal tear of the left knee with degenerative changes remains unchanged.

The veteran's right knee meniscus tear, status post arthroscopy has been rated at 10 percent since October 14, 2002. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for arthritis of the right knee.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and reviewing the expanded record to readjudicate the veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of repair to his right ureter incurred during service beyond those associated with postoperative scarring and the usual effects of such ameliorative surgical treatment. The in-service pyeloplasty did not aggravate a disability.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable disability evaluations for retropatellar pain syndrome of each knee, finding no evidence of subluxation or lateral instability.