Knee decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial disability rating higher than 10 percent for his right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left and right knee disabilities are service-connected.

The veteran's left knee, right knee, and right hip disabilities are rated at their maximum allowable under the applicable diagnostic codes. The left knee arthritis is currently rated at 30 percent, with a separate 10 percent evaluation for instability. The right knee disability is rated at 20 percent, while the right hip disability remains rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his service, and his left knee disability is not found to be directly related to his service or secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus or right knee disability. The appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left above the knee amputation is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left knee and hemorrhoids were partially granted. The left knee condition was denied, while the hemorrhoids received a 10% rating.

The veteran's claims for increased rating of bilateral weak foot disability, service connection for low back disorder and right knee disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected mechanical low back pain, effective from September 26, 2003. The other issues were not addressed as they are not currently before the Board.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for traumatic arthritis of the right knee, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the veteran's left knee disability, its relationship to service, any aggravation by her right knee disability, and whether it was aggravated by VA surgeries.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected post-operative residuals, degenerative joint disease, right knee.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, did not begin during service and is not related to any incident of service. As a result, the claim for service connection for this condition was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities do not warrant increased ratings based on instability or arthritis with limitation of motion.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee degenerative changes, right knee degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and urinary tract infection residuals. The decision found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim for left knee disability.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for right shoulder and left knee disabilities were denied. The right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, while the left knee disability is rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right knee impairment with internal derangement is currently rated at 20 percent, while painful motion of the right knee with traumatic arthritis is rated at 10 percent. Service connection for a low back disability was not established.

The Board has granted increased disability ratings of 20 percent for osteochondritis with degenerative changes and history of meniscectomy in both the right and left knees, effective August 30, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations of the veteran's right knee and digestive system.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee disability is related to an injury he sustained during service, and thus grants his claim for service connection.