Knee decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and left shoulder disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional medical input to determine the relationship between his in-service injuries and current disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records from Dr. William Blasik and Dr. John Days.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral ankle disability as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability. The veteran's claims for increased ratings for arteriosclerotic heart disease and lumbosacral strain with bilateral sacroiliac arthritis have been denied, and the claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for instability of the right knee has also been denied.

The Board denied an increased rating for arthritis of the left knee, residual of a fracture of the left fibula.

The Board found that the evidence did not show improvement in the veteran's right and left knee disabilities to warrant a reduction from 20% to 10% evaluations. The RO based these ratings on moderate instability of both knees, which was demonstrated by abnormal Drawer and McMurray tests at the time of the initial rating decision.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability warrants a separate evaluation for superficial scar, but not for dislocated cartilage. The current 10 percent rating for residuals of meniscectomy with degenerative arthritis remains unchanged.

The Board has denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that no new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient notice regarding new and material evidence for reopening a claim of service connection for a right hip disability. The veteran's claims of service connection for right knee and right leg disabilities are also being reviewed, but further information is needed from the veteran about his treatment history.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected depression with PTSD, right knee sprain with patellar tendonitis, and thoracic spine degenerative joint disease. The current ratings of 50% for each condition are maintained.

The veteran's right knee disability is productive of pain and swelling with moderate, but not severe, knee disability. A 20 percent evaluation has been granted for the period from May 2, 2005 onward.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied claims. The appeals were not successful in any of the issues raised.

The veteran's appeal involves the reduction of his left knee disability rating and a request for an increased evaluation for his right knee disability. The case is being remanded to gather additional medical evidence.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the service-connected bilateral pes planus, but denied the claims for higher initial ratings for left knee disability and service connection for right knee condition.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected post-operative left knee injury with osteoarthritis was denied. The RO increased the rating to 10 percent, but did not grant the requested increase. Service connection for arthritis of both feet was also denied as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's knee disabilities warrant a 40 percent disability rating effective March 30, 2006. The RO previously granted service connection for DJD of each knee and assigned initial ratings of 10 percent from April 23, 1998; 20 percent from March 16, 2002; and 40 percent after March 30, 2006.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, prostate cancer, and lung condition. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has granted a 60 percent disability rating for the veteran's postoperative residuals of a hiatal hernia and status-post sigmoid resection secondary to perforated colon, effective from April 2001. The veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent.