Knee decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee conditions and TDIU, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, lumbar strain with muscle spasms, and left lower extremity disability due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining her Social Security Administration records and scheduling another VA medical examination.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for total disability based on individual unemployability due to the veteran's service-connected disabilities, as the claim arose when he received a federal disability retirement and SSA benefits in 1998. The effective date is set at May 6, 2004.

The veteran's initial evaluations for service-connected patellofemoral arthritis and chondromalacia of the left and right knees have been granted, with a rating of 10 percent each.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability secondary to his already service-connected low back and right knee conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of disabilities of the hips, knees, and legs. The veteran's complaints of pain do not constitute a disability for which service connection may be granted.

The Board denied an initial evaluation greater than 20 percent for the veteran's right knee disability, status-post ACL reconstruction and medial meniscus repair.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's left and right knee disorders, both currently rated at 30 percent. Service connection for hypertension was also denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and left clavicle disabilities were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left ankle and knee disabilities, as well as his request for an earlier effective date. The veteran's service-connected left leg disability was also not rated higher than noncompensable.

The veteran's left knee disability, diagnosed as chondromalacia patella, is currently rated at 10 percent due to limited range of motion and degenerative arthritis. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee, left knee, bilateral ankle disability, and bone spurs of the feet. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, sickle cell trait (claimed as sickle cell anemia), hepatitis C, tuberculosis, right knee injury residuals, eye injury residuals, and right rib injury residuals were denied. The Board found that the veteran did not have these conditions as a result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by honorable active military service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's left knee disability, which includes a medial collateral ligament tear and subsequent surgeries, warrants an initial rating of 30 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, hip, and wrist disorders due to a lack of diagnosed disabilities. The veteran presented with complaints of pain in her knees, hips, and wrists during active service but no current diagnoses were found.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left knee does not warrant a higher rating, as it did not meet the criteria for additional compensable ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5260 and 5261.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently suffer from any of the claimed conditions and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examinations and review of the claims file to determine if any service connection is warranted for various disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for total left knee replacement with secondary left leg longer than right and chronic low back pain with degenerative disc disease at L5, as secondary to his claimed left knee condition.