Knee decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as for a rating greater than 10 percent for his right knee scarring, were denied by the RO. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a bilateral knee disability related to her service, and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left leg residuals, shrapnel wound, have aggravated his right knee disability beyond its natural progression.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to the veteran's right knee disability, with an effective date of the date of claim and a rating of 60 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected left knee injuries, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right knee disability does not warrant a combined rating in excess of 40 percent.

The veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his right knee injury was granted, and he is now receiving a 10 percent disability rating effective November 25, 2005.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded to allow for additional development of his medical records, including those from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Board found that the veteran's arthritis of multiple joints, to include his knees, hands, elbows and left shoulder, was not incurred in or aggravated by military service. The right shoulder rotator cuff tear is also not related to military service.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and right shoulder disabilities, finding that they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for reopening his right knee disability claim and service connection for a back disability, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the right knee claim and that there is no evidence of in-service injury or aggravation. The back disability claim was also denied as secondary to the right knee disability.

The Board is remanding the claims for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the etiology of the veteran's claimed conditions and their relationship to service.

The veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only is denied as there are no qualifying service-connected disabilities.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder.

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

The Board found no evidence of arthritis or other disabilities in service, and denied the veteran's claims for service connection as there is insufficient medical evidence linking current disabilities to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected left and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that he is not entitled to a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of injuries to his neck, left shoulder, and knees. The appeals are based on direct service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's current left knee disorder is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.