Knee Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability, currently rated at 20 percent, does not warrant a higher rating due to lack of objective findings of recurrent subluxation or lateral instability. The current 20 percent rating is maintained.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disorder warrants a separate initial 10 percent evaluation for arthritis and no more, effective August 1, 1996. A separate 10 percent evaluation is also granted for instability of the left knee, effective August 1, 1996.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran withdrew his appeal before a decision was made.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for major depression, increased ratings for his left knee disability and psoriasis. The evidence did not support a finding of chronic depression in service or any other basis for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of frostbite injury in service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a frost bite injury of the feet, to include peripheral vascular disease and a left below the knee amputation.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied, and the case is being remanded to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, low back, and bilateral knee disabilities have not been met due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's left knee disorders are currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion with painful motion and no higher. He is not entitled to a rating higher than 10 percent for the limitation of extension caused by his patellofemoral syndrome.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed left thigh and hip, as well as left knee disabilities are not proximately due to or the result of her service-connected gunshot wound to the left thigh with scar. Therefore, she is denied secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for limitation of extension of the right knee, effective from July 8, 2004. The claim for higher ratings for lateral instability and flexion is denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss or right and left knee chondromalacia, but granted service connection for tremors, muscle spasm, and extremity numbness as due to an undiagnosed illness. Service connection was also granted for severe joint and muscle pain including of the bilateral ankles and left shoulder as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, residuals of a concussion, bilateral knee disabilities, and bilateral leg disabilities. The veteran was granted a 20% rating for degenerative disc disease, L5-S1, lumbar spine prior to June 12, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right knee is related to service and grants this claim. The left knee and low back disability claims are remanded for further development.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person was denied as he is not in need of regular aid and assistance due to his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee instability does not meet the criteria for a separate compensable rating, as there is no medical evidence of recurrent subluxation or lateral instability. The current 10% evaluation assigned for limitation of motion remains in effect.

The Board has determined that the veteran's gout of the knees, degenerative tearing of the medial meniscus and degenerative arthritis of the knees are not related to his service-connected residuals of shell fragment wounds of the knees. Therefore, these claims for secondary service connection have been denied.

The veteran's chronic lumbar strain was rated at 10 percent from September 12, 2001 to September 25, 2003. The right knee chondromalacia and patellofemoral syndrome were also rated at 10 percent during the same period. Arthritis of the right knee was rated at noncompensable (0%) from September 12, 2001 to the present.

The VA determined that the veteran's left knee disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher initial rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for left knee osteochondritis dissecans, postoperative, and a 20 percent rating for degenerative joint disease of the left knee. These ratings are effective from November 30, 1990.