Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claims of service connection for right leg, right knee, and low back disorders. The RO previously denied these claims in August 1996 on the grounds that any current conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected postoperative residuals of right femur fracture and osteoarthritis of the right hip were denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination, and there is no evidence of significant limitation of motion in his right hip.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 26, 1995 for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The RO granted increased ratings and a TDIU effective September 26, 1995.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disorder warrants a 30 percent evaluation, as it is characterized by significant laxity and instability without nonunion of the tibia and fibula requiring a brace on an ongoing basis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right knee disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the RO failing to recognize and mail documents to the correct address. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing SSA disability benefits and medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes and her tinnitus is not service-connected. The other conditions listed in the issues section are either not supported by evidence or were resolved prior to separation from service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that they met the criteria for higher ratings.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left and right knee arthritis, and anxiety reaction, are found to be so severe that they prevent the veteran from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for examinations and additional records.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability and also denied his claim of entitlement to service connection for a gastrointestinal disability.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The left knee disability was not productive of subluxation, instability, locking or effusion to the joint prior to April 24, 2003. The back injury resulted in a compression fracture at L1 and degenerative changes of the lumbar spine with severe limitation of motion.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 60 percent for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability from May 3, 1999.

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection for internal derangement of the right knee joint and degenerative joint disease of the right hip, finding no new and material evidence. The claim for status post right inguinal hernia was also denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to military service.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right knee and assigned a separate 10 percent rating for mild laxity, posterior cruciate ligament, right knee. The veteran does not meet the criteria for an increased rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his left knee arthritis, status post meniscectomy due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right knee injury and an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for asbestosis. The claim for service connection was denied due to lack of competent evidence linking any current disability to military service, while the claim for increased rating for asbestosis was denied based on the existing rating already assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ear hearing loss, disability of the right knee manifested by instability, and right knee arthritis. The RO continued to deny these claims based on the evidence provided.