Knee Board decisions

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left knee injury was denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 30, 1985 for service connection of a left knee disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with the right knee receiving a 100% rating effective from November 21, 2003, and a noncompensable rating from January 1, 2004. The low back received a 40% rating prior to September 23, 2002, and a 10% rating for intervertebral disc syndrome-related lower extremity neuropathy starting from September 23, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a right ankle disorder, PTSD, and left knee disorder. The decision also noted that the denial of his claim for residuals of a left arm injury in 1968 was based on no residual chronic disability found at separation examination.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected right and left knee disorders do not warrant an increased rating as they are currently evaluated at 10 percent for each knee, with no evidence of limitation of motion or functional loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD, service connection for bilateral knee disability, and reopening of his claim for atopic dermatitis as a result of Agent Orange exposure.

The Board found that the veteran's lumbar strain did not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent. The right knee disability was rated under Diagnostic Codes 5262 and 5257, with no indication of arthritis being considered separately.

The Board has granted service connection for latex allergy/sensitivity and denied increased disability ratings for hypertension, sinusitis, right knee chondromalacia, and left knee chondromalacia. The veteran's hypertension does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The veteran's left knee traumatic arthritis and lateral tibial plateau fracture with traumatic arthritis are currently rated at 20 percent disabling. The instability of the left knee is also considered, but no compensable evaluation has been granted.

The veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a left below the knee amputation due to complications from an infection during his VA hospitalization in June and July 2001. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and determine if proper care was provided at the VA facility.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities are being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and arranging for VA orthopedic examinations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including examinations to assess the current status of his right knee and ankle disabilities, as well as secondary service connection claims. The RO must also issue a supplemental statement of the case on the issue of secondary service connection for lumbar spine and right hip disabilities.

The RO confirmed and continued the assigned evaluations for chondromalacia of both knees, but did not grant any increased ratings.

The veteran's right knee arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and no higher. The Board finds that the evidence does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for the appellant's claimed conditions, finding that they were not incurred or aggravated by service and thus did not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The veteran's service-connected left knee disorder was increased to a 30 percent rating effective January 12, 2005. A separate 10 percent rating for arthritis of the left knee is also granted. The veteran's chronic low back pain remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Board denied all service connection claims for bilateral shoulder, neck, ankle, and knee disabilities as the evidence did not show current disabilities or a link to military service.

The Board denied an increased rating for the right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorders and an increased rating for thoracic spine disorder. The decision is final as it pertains to a previously denied claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral knee disorder is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.