Knee Board decisions

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for left knee and right ankle disabilities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including multiple orthopedic conditions affecting the same body system, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disability. The May 1975 rating decision denying this claim is final.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection of his left knee condition and bilateral flat foot condition. However, the claims were denied as there is no evidence showing aggravation during service or a link between current conditions and active duty.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for compliance with VCAA notification and assistance requirements.

The veteran's bilateral hearing impairment, right knee disability, and low back disability are not service-connected.,There is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected right knee DJD, finding that his disability did not meet criteria for an increased rating.

The VA denied service connection for a right wrist disability and hearing loss of the left ear, as well as initial ratings for low back and left knee disabilities. The veteran's current conditions have not been demonstrated to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cause of death was aspiration pneumonia as a consequence of Parkinson's disease. The service-connected PTSD and medications did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left ankle fracture and orthopedic disabilities of the back, hips, knees, and legs. The veteran's claims were based on direct evidence rather than presumptions or secondary conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hip and knee disorders are related to his military service, including parachute jumps during training. As a result, the claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board granted service connection for renal insufficiency as secondary to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, effective from August 28, 2000. The issue of a higher rating for renal disability remains pending.

The veteran's claim for service connection for his current left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected post-operative left and right knee impairments, currently rated at 20 percent each. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus he is denied entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for instability of the right knee, arthritis of the right knee, and donor site scars, right abdominal wound. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disability warrants a rating of 30 percent, which is more than the current 20 percent assigned. The disability is characterized by marked knee disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a left knee injury. The veteran's current left knee condition is related to an in-service injury, and thus service connection is granted.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee, right thigh muscle group XIV, and left tibial nerve disabilities have been denied. The current evaluations are considered appropriate under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with mild narrowing at L5-S1, and denied the claim for an increased evaluation for right knee strain.