Knee Board decisions

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected left knee injury residuals, including scarring, is being remanded to the RO for additional development of medical records and an updated VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee arthritis is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disorder. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the veteran's left knee disability, effective from the date of the decision. The veteran also received a separate 10 percent rating for arthritis of the left knee.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection of back disability, bilateral elbow and ankle disabilities, and left knee disability. The appeals are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for basic eligibility for VA benefits due to a lack of service in the U.S. Armed Forces, specifically as a guerilla with the Philippine Commonwealth Army.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to a temporary total disability evaluation for convalescence following left knee surgery performed on May 21, 2001.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation to 20 percent for chondromalacia of the right knee, which is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a left hip/left knee/left leg condition, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The Board also found that these conditions were not related to the veteran's active duty service or his service-connected postoperative residuals of a pilonidal cyst.

The Board found that service connection was granted for a right shoulder rotator cuff tear injury, but denied claims for heart disorder, sinusitis, left knee disorder, hemorrhoids, and increased ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia and musculoskeletal low back pain. The left foot disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, heart disorder, seizure disorder (epilepsy), bronchitis, and diabetes mellitus. The decision found that new evidence did not establish a current disability or link these conditions to service.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluations for his service-connected left knee, left ankle, and right hip disabilities has been denied. The highest schedular disability evaluation of 60 percent is currently in effect for the left leg conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left knee disability and service connection for a cervical spine disability. The decision is based on the lack of evidence supporting the requested ratings or connections.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee conditions are denied as there is no evidence showing that the current ratings do not adequately reflect the severity of his disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left knee injury, finding that there is no competent evidence linking his current left knee disability to service.

The Board has denied increased ratings for the veteran's right and left knee disorders, but service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including residuals of bilateral knee injuries, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran's knee, shoulder, ankle, and spine conditions need further examination to determine their etiology. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has ordered additional development of the record due to incomplete medical history and a need for an orthopedic examination. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered after this information is obtained.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not due to a service-connected disability.