Knee Board decisions

The veteran's right knee disability has been granted a 30 percent evaluation, and the low back disorder is pending with a separate evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for left knee instability and traumatic arthritis of the left knee, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for peripheral vascular disease of the right and left lower extremities, as well as ischemic heart disease, were denied by the Board. The evidence showed significant arterial stenosis in both legs and a history of claudication, but no specific service connection was made.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current bilateral knee disabilities to his military service, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The VA granted the veteran's claim for service connection for post-operative residuals of an ACL repair of the left knee and assigned a 10 percent rating, effective October 11, 2001.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's left knee disability, but granted service connection for residuals of frozen feet.

The Board has granted an increased rating for the veteran's traumatic arthritis, left knee. Service connection was established for a low back disorder as secondary to the service-connected traumatic arthritis, left knee and for a right knee disorder also as secondary to the service-connected traumatic arthritis, left knee.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining treatment records and conducting further examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an automobile grant and/or adaptive equipment allowance or special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance (A&A).

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disorder was not incurred in service and is not secondary to a service-connected condition.,The Board has also determined that the veteran's left knee and left shoulder disorders were not incurred in service and are not secondary to any service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for his right knee disability and left ankle scar, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable rating under VA's schedular criteria.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, migratory arthralgias of the shoulders, hands, and cervical spine, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The Board found that these conditions are not related to active duty service.

The Board finds that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disability and bilateral knee disability must be denied due to lack of competent medical evidence of current disabilities. The veteran's assertions alone cannot provide a basis for a grant of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the current severity of the appellant's left knee disability.

The veteran's left knee disability was initially rated as noncompensable from June 1, 2001 to September 21, 2004. From September 22, 2004, the RO granted a compensable rating of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and an initial evaluation of PTSD. The VA found no evidence linking current knee disabilities to military service, while finding that prior to December 5, 1995, the manifestations of PTSD produced mild disturbances of motivation and mood with slight impairment in occupational functioning.

The veteran's right knee disability, post-total knee replacement, does not warrant a schedular evaluation in excess of 30 percent from May 1, 1999.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his patellofemoral syndrome of both knees, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability. The current 20% ratings were maintained.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that any left knee complaints noted in service were treated and completely resolved by the time he separated from service. The preponderance of medical evidence does not establish an etiological link between his current left knee disability and his service or any incident therein.

The veteran's initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and subluxation of the right knee have been granted, with a rating of 10 percent each. The partial amputation residuals of the left middle and ring fingers are rated as non-compensable.