Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent effective October 1, 1998. The initial rating prior to that date remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations of his service-connected residuals of left knee meniscectomies and post-surgical scars of the left knee was denied. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination. The TDIU claim was also denied as it is not related to service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during active or reserve service. The current conditions do not have a direct link to military service.

The Veteran's right knee replacement is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board denied his claim for a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and has determined that there is sufficient evidence to establish direct service connection. The low back disorder issue remains unresolved.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of bilateral knee and wrist disorders, as well as increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy. The Board dismissed these issues due to the Veteran's withdrawals.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA/privately obtained medical records. The appellant's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent since November 9, 2007. The Board has determined that he should be rated at 30 percent beginning February 19, 2004. His left knee disorder is currently rated as 30 percent disabling. Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial evaluations for her service-connected conditions was dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal concerning a higher initial evaluation for adjustment disorder, currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted.,The Veteran has a current diagnosis of back, leg, and knee conditions that are related to his in-service injuries.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder and arthritis were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of chronicity of symptoms after service. The medical opinion provided did not support a link between his current condition and military service.

The Veteran's left knee condition was rated as 10 percent prior to May 15, 2006 and as 20 percent since that date. The right knee condition has been rated at 10 percent.,Arthritis of the bilateral shoulders was not rated higher than 10 percent prior to November 29, 1999. Since then, arthritis of the left shoulder has not warranted a rating higher than 10 percent and arthritis of the right shoulder has not been rated at all.,Since August 27, 2002, arthritis of the right shoulder has been rated as 10 percent disabling. Arthritis of the hands was rated noncompensable prior to that date but is now rated at 10 percent since then.,Arthritis of the left ankle and right ankle have both been rated at 10 percent since August 27, 2002.

The Board denied increased ratings for the service-connected right knee contusion, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right hip degenerative joint disease. The Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination scheduled in conjunction with his claim was noted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board granted increased ratings for PTSD and chondromalacia of the left knee, but denied service connection for chronic fatigue.

The Veteran's knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and his lumbar spine disability has been rated as chronic lumbar strain. The Board denied increased evaluations for both conditions.

The Veteran's left knee and back disabilities were not shown to be related to his service-connected right knee disability, nor are they otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right leg, left leg, right knee, and left knee disabilities are denied as there is no medical evidence of current disability other than arthritis in the knees.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee ACL reconstruction is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation of 30 percent is warranted due to significant occupational limitations with severe impairment.