Knee decisions — 2007

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding no current disability related to service.

The veteran's claims for various orthopedic and psychiatric conditions were denied as the evidence did not establish that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed regarding the veteran's claim for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The case is REMANDED for a supplemental VA medical opinion and review of the claims file.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating for a right knee disability and service connection for a left knee disability (secondary to a service-connected right knee disability) due to incomplete examination reports and outstanding VA medical records. The veteran is required to provide information about additional evidence, if any, that he possesses.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee and assigned a 10 percent disability rating, effective October 2001. The veteran is seeking an increased rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for internal derangement of the left knee, finding that it is manifested by symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage and does not warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to issues related to service connection for asbestosis, and ratings for plantar fasciitis of the right foot and chondromalacia patella of the right knee. The appeals are not yet decided.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee condition does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and neck disabilities, as well as infectious hepatitis. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected conditions have been granted, with the right index finger receiving a non-compensable rating.

The veteran's low back disorder is rated at 20 percent, and his left knee disorder is also rated at 10 percent. Service connection for a bilateral hip disorder was granted as secondary to the service-connected low back and left knee disorders.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, but further development is needed to determine if the current condition was incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The veteran's right knee disability status post arthroscopy for lateral meniscus tear is rated at 20% due to moderate recurrent subluxation or lateral instability.,The veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is rated at 10% based on x-ray evidence of degenerative joint disease.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records and further development of his claims.

The veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected postoperative residuals of a total right knee replacement, currently rated at 30%. The case has been remanded to allow for further development and examination.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence relating the left knee disorder with arthritis to active service, nor is it shown to have been manifest within one year of discharge from active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence showing that his preexisting right knee disability was aggravated by active military service. The Board also determined that the veteran's current right knee disability is related to this aggravation.

The veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, a temporary total evaluation based on convalescence required as a result of surgery in May 2001, and an increased disability rating for residuals of a left knee injury are all denied.

The veteran's service-connected mechanical low back strain and cervical strain have been granted, but the initial ratings assigned are 10 percent for both conditions. The left knee disorder has also been granted with a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that there is no medical or X-ray evidence of a right or left knee disability during service or for decades thereafter, and the veteran's assertions of continuity of symptoms are not supported by competent medical evidence. As such, the claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities have been denied.