Knee decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and back disabilities did not develop as a result of service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for her left knee disability was denied as the evidence did not show that her condition warranted a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining medical records. The claims for increased evaluations of his right knee disability and initial compensable evaluation for left quadriceps biopsy residuals will be reconsidered based on the evidence of record.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that there is no evidence of chronic or recurrent left knee problems during service and after service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to comply with the Court's June 2004 decision, which found that VA had failed to provide proper notice. Additional development is needed for compliance with VA's duty to assist and notify.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The claim to reopen a previously-denied service connection for fallen arches was also denied, as was the claim regarding CUE in the January 1997 rating decision.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the appellant is not entitled to VA benefits for the cause of his death or any other claims.

The Veteran's tinea cruris is rated at 10 percent, and his DJD of the right knee is rated at 20 percent prior to December 21, 2004. The left knee disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to reopening a claim for service connection and rating for knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the right hip, knee, and ankle. The Veteran's pre-existing right hip disorder was not aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is service-connected, resolving doubt in her favor.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disorder, to include arthritis, is not etiologically related to service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his disability was incurred in or aggravated by active duty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current knee conditions and his time in military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected left knee injury does not warrant an increased rating as it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for deep vein thrombosis in his right leg and increased ratings for his service-connected chondromalacia of both knees. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active service.

The Veteran's degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent effective June 30, 2003.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10 percent effective June 30, 2003.,The Veteran's DJD of the bilateral knees is rated at 20 percent each effective June 30, 2003.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee condition, with arthrotomy and meniscectomy, is rated at 30 percent for instability. Separate ratings of 10 percent each are assigned for painful limitation of motion. Service connection was granted for the right ankle disability, diabetic neuropathy of both lower extremities, peripheral vascular disease of both lower extremities, diabetes mellitus, and atherosclerotic heart disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee and hip disorders due to inadequate examination. The Veteran's claim of reopening a back disorder is granted.