Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, an increased rating for service-connected acne vulgaris, and service connection for low back disorder, left hip disorder, and right knee disorder secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has found the evidence sufficient to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for prostatitis. The claims for arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, shoulders and knees, as well as hepatitis C remain on remand due to incomplete or insufficient evidence.

The veteran's service-connected dermatophytosis has no current manifestations, and the Board finds that a rating in excess of 30 percent is not warranted.

The Board found that the veteran's current left knee disorder is related to his in-service injury and granted service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine arthritis, right knee arthritis, and left knee arthritis with residuals of a proximal tibia fracture due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the veteran's left knee disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disability, low back disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The combined rating for cervical spine arthritis remains at 30 percent.

The veteran is seeking TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, including upper thoracic and neck disorders, left knee joint disorder, and left knee degenerative change with pain. The Board has ordered a remand for further development to determine the current severity of these conditions and whether they prevent the veteran from being gainfully employed.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have an anal fissure and denied service connection for this condition. The issues of entitlement to higher initial evaluations for right shoulder, left knee, coccyx, and tinea pedis disabilities are addressed in a separate remand.

The Board denied the veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for a respiratory disorder and bilateral knee disorder, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted.

The veteran's initial compensable evaluation for right knee arthritis prior to January 7, 2003 was denied. The veteran's request for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent on or after January 7, 2003 was also denied.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left lower extremity disability was granted, with a 20 percent rating effective November 12, 1996.

The veteran's bilateral knee disability, left shoulder disability, and CTS were all found to be related to his military service. The initial rating of 10 percent for low back disability from October 31, 1996, to April 9, 2001, is maintained.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied as it is not factually ascertainable that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable within one year prior to the receipt of his June 11, 1999 application.

The Board granted a combined evaluation of 40 percent for left knee disabilities on and after August 21, 2004. The rating was effective April 1, 2005.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder was not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim seeking service connection for a right knee condition. The veteran's current right knee condition is at least as likely as not related to pre-patellar bursitis in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right knee disability and there is no evidence linking any such disability to service. The claim for service connection for a right knee disability is denied.

The VA has determined that the veteran's left total knee arthroplasty does not warrant a higher rating than the current 30 percent assigned.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the assignment of separate 20% disability evaluations for his bilateral knee disabilities was denied as there is no evidence of increased disability prior to September 12, 2003.