Knee decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder and left knee disabilities do not warrant an initial rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no evidence of nonunion or dislocation of the clavicle or scapula, nor limitation of motion at shoulder level.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of any chronic disability of the bilateral shoulders, knees, feet, elbows, or hands during active duty service. The Veteran's complaints and diagnoses are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, patellofemoral pain syndrome and degenerative changes due to incomplete development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for seizure disorder, hypertension, bilateral knee disorder and gastrointestinal disorder. The claims were remanded multiple times but the Veteran did not provide additional evidence or participate in a hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since September 2007. The VA Appeals Management Center (AMC) found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current manifestations of her condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the claims of service connection for a bilateral foot disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability is not etiologically related to service and denied her claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His bilateral knee disabilities, peripheral vestibular disorder, left eye condition, cervical spine disability, and head injury residuals were not found to be related to his service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee and shoulder disabilities are not related to his military service, as they were first demonstrated years after service and were due to postservice injuries.

The Veteran's postoperative residuals of a left knee replacement are currently rated at 30 percent, effective April 1, 2010. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to April 16, 2001, for the grants of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that either condition warranted a rating in excess of 30 percent from the specified dates.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete information regarding his service dates and missing medical records from October 12, 2001. The Veteran is seeking service connection for injuries sustained during active duty.

The Veteran's chondromalacia of the left knee is currently rated at 10 percent, and he has been granted separate evaluations for instability and removal of semilunar cartilage.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran does not have a left knee disability that is related to service, and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for ITBS of his knees and a scar from surgery on his right fifth toe were denied. The Veteran was already receiving a 10 percent rating for each knee, which is considered adequate under the criteria set forth in the Rating Schedule. The scar received a separate compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for left knee disorder, headaches, hypertension, and joint pain of the lumbar spine and left shoulder were denied as they are not shown to be related to service or any incident thereof.