Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee internal derangement, with degenerative joint disease, is currently rated at 10 percent under the appropriate diagnostic codes. The current range of motion does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee chondromalacia is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher evaluation of 20 percent is warranted.,The Veteran's service-connected right knee chondromalacia is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate.

The Board has found the evidence currently of record sufficient to establish the Veteran's entitlement to service connection for recurrent left ankle sprains. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision and is remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC).

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of all submitted evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and found that the Veteran's left shoulder disability was aggravated by active duty service. The claims are now resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including his service-connected stress fracture and degenerative joint disease, has been rated at 20 percent since October 1996. The rating was increased to 30 percent for the period from May 1, 2006, forward.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left knee instability, varicose veins of the left leg, and degenerative disease of the right knee, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since April 15, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity that they preclude substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's above-the-knee amputation was not incurred as a result of VA failure to exercise the degree of care expected, and there is no indication that additional disability occurred due to an unforeseeable event. The Board finds that compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of a right leg above-the-knee amputation is denied.

The Veteran's right knee disorder, characterized by chronic ACL deficiency and posttraumatic degenerative joint disease, is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5260. The rating has been granted.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bursitis of the hips, bilateral hallux rigidus, and increased evaluations for chondromalacia of the right knee and chondromalacia with degenerative joint disease of the left knee due to procedural reasons. The Veteran's claims are not currently addressed as they were previously adjudicated.

The Board has found new service department records that show relevant treatment for the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder in service. As a result, the claim to reopen is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left knee and hip disabilities have not been decided.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluation and service connection were denied. The left ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, while the right knee and hip disorders are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hoarseness secondary to his cervical fusion of the lateral intervetebral disc C5-6 has been reopened and granted. The Veteran is also entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the medical records do not show any diagnosed condition involving either knee.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, to include as secondary to his service-connected left knee disabilities, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability or continuity of symptomatology related to his in-service complaints. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have any diagnosed conditions, and thus cannot establish service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and left below-the-knee amputation are presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO in Decatur, Georgia.