Knee decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability does not warrant an increased evaluation beyond the current 30 percent rating.

The veteran's service-connected left foot Morton's neuroma and left knee injury with traumatic arthritis have been rated at 10 percent since November 2000. The current ratings are maintained as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation for either condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hip disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to a service-connected disability. The claim for an increased rating for left knee residuals of injury to the medial meniscus with traumatic arthritis is denied as there is no clinical evidence of instability, and limitation of extension does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, right knee arthritis, and left knee arthritis. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has granted a rating of 10 percent for the veteran's residuals, postoperative medial meniscectomy, left knee. The claim to reopen service connection for the right knee condition, claimed as secondary to the left knee, is also granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee degenerative joint disease and for earlier effective dates for service connection for instability of the right knee and TDIU. The claim for a higher rating for left knee arthritis was denied as there were no ranges of motion to show limitation of extension or flexion that would warrant a higher evaluation. The claim for an earlier effective date for right knee instability was denied because the RO found that the entitlement arose on March 10, 2004.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of an increase in severity during service and thus denying the claim on the basis of aggravation.

The Board finds that the veteran's current disabilities of the left knee and left ankle are not related to his military service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of chronic disability during or after service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the left knee and left hand, as well as his request for an increased evaluation for tinnitus. The RO granted service connection for tinnitus but assigned a maximum schedular evaluation.

The VA determined that the veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative changes does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating than 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation, and thus denied his claim for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current disability of arthritis of the right knee is attributable to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further proceedings, including scheduling an examination and adjudicating the claim under secondary service connection.

The Board denied various claims, including service connection for several conditions and an increased rating for a burn disability. The veteran's appeals were not granted.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's gunshot wound residuals and remanded it to consider a possible muscle injury. The claim is now ready for appellate disposition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left hand injury, burn residuals of various body parts, and concussion residuals. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

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

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hip and right knee disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The current conditions are attributed to avascular necrosis, which was not incurred during active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that there was no final decision on the issue and that a reasonably raised claim for TDIU had not been properly before the Board.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability in July 2003, finding that new and material evidence had not been received. The decision is being appealed.