Knee decisions — 2008

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee disability, finding that the current 30 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for scars on his right scapula and right lower leg, as well as service connection for allergic rhinitis and a left knee disorder. The veteran's scars were found to be superficial and stable, not warranting higher ratings. There was no evidence of a current left knee disability or injury in service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current left knee disability is related to his service.

The veteran seeks a TDIU due to his service-connected right knee disability. The RO denied the claim, and the case is now remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right and left knee disorders do not warrant a disability rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no evidence of instability or dislocation. The conditions are rated based on limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA and private treatment records that need to be obtained for a full review of your claims.

The Board found that the veteran's diagnosed bilateral knee disability was not incurred or related to his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable disability evaluations for his service-connected right knee patellofemoral syndrome and bilateral shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, as well as his claim for a total rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The RO continued noncompensable (zero percent) disability ratings for these conditions.

The veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent since November 22, 1989. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either knee.

The veteran's orthopedic conditions, including fractures and a compression fracture at L1, are found to be secondary to his service-connected seizure disorder. His rating for the seizure disorder is maintained at 40 percent.

The veteran's claim for an initial or staged rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide VCAA notice.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher evaluations or service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder and left knee, finding that the veteran's current disabilities are causally related to his in-service injuries.

The veteran's left knee scar and osteoarthritis of the left knee were both denied, but his claim to reopen service connection for osteoarthritis was granted. The evaluation for the left knee scar remains noncompensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for evaluations in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected bilateral knee replacements, finding that the residuals did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical examination to determine if the veteran's current right knee condition is related to his active duty service and whether it preexisted service.

The VA determined that the veteran's right knee disability, which is currently rated at 10 percent, does not warrant a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for more than a 10 percent disability rating.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities were denied.,Service connection was also denied for a hyperextended mandibular joint, as well as for a skin disorder (impetigo).

The Board granted an initial rating of 10 percent for left knee medial and lateral meniscus tears, effective January 8, 2003. The case was remanded due to the need for further development regarding a temporary total rating based on convalescence following surgery.