Knee decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening his claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and for an initial compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an extraschedular evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hammertoes, as well as his secondary service connection claims for a bilateral knee disability and depressive disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including increased ratings for knee disabilities and effective dates, as well as a TDIU claim. The case is being remanded to the RO for additional development of evidence.

The veteran withdrew his appeals, and the Board dismissed the case.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 30 percent for instability as the service-connected residual of reconstructive surgery to the right knee, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has granted a compensable rating of 10% for service-connected stress reaction of the left and right knees, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a left knee disability, which was previously denied in November 1972. The veteran's current left knee disability is now considered for review on its merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's appeal is denied as the Board finds no evidence of a bilateral knee condition related to service. The claim for increased allergic rhinitis was granted, but remains at a 10% rating.

The Board denied service connection for synovitis of the ankles and right wrist because there is no current disability. Increased ratings were not granted for postoperative left knee chondromalacia patella (currently rated at 20%), left knee degenerative joint disease, or right knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative joint disease.

The veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to knee braces is denied as there is no evidence that the knee braces resulted in worn or torn clothing.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current left knee arthritis and there is no competent evidence relating a current disability to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a right or left knee disability incurred in service and therefore denied both claims.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of a left knee injury. The November 1971 denial is considered final, as no appeal was filed.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee as secondary to service-connected DJD of the right knee, finding that the veteran's left knee disability is caused by overuse and compensation due to his right knee injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of pulmonary tuberculosis, right knee and ankle disorder as secondary to a service-connected shrapnel wound injury, and hearing loss. The denial was based on lack of new and material evidence for PTB and insufficient medical evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right knee disability incurred or aggravated during service, and denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and back disabilities as secondary to his claimed right knee disability.

The veteran's service-connected left and right knee disorders have not met the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.,His hypertension has also not met the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right knee arthralgia is not related to his military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.