Knee Board decisions

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His right knee disability is currently rated at 40% disabling, while his right hand disability is rated at 20%. Service connection for a low back disability secondary to the right knee condition was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's additional disabilities, such as numbness in his right leg and foot, inability to bend his knee properly, and unsteadiness of gait, are not due to unforeseen events or VA negligence. Therefore, compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues involving increased ratings for torn right medial meniscus and arthritis of the right knee.

The Board found no current left knee or low back disability and denied service connection for these conditions as secondary to the veteran's right knee disorder. The examiner concluded that the veteran's current low back condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 10 percent for the service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the right leg with involvement of Muscle Group XI.

The veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a left knee disability and an initial compensable evaluation for hypertension have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board finds that the veteran's current right knee disorder is due to or the result of his service-connected left knee disability, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations due to new evidence submitted since his last rating decision. The claims are being reopened, but further examination is needed.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, which is secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, has been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current functional impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for instability of the right knee and traumatic arthritis of both knees, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability is etiologically related to his active military service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current disabilities for the claimed conditions, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in the case, including obtaining VA medical records from 1992 and scheduling an orthopedic examination to determine the current nature and etiology of any claimed left shoulder and left knee disorders.

The veteran's right knee disability, following surgery, is currently rated at 30 percent. His left knee degenerative joint disease also warrants a 30 percent rating. The Board has granted the requested increased ratings for both disabilities and found that he meets criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's schedular guidelines.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his condition. The case will be reviewed after scheduling an orthopedic examination and considering all provided medical records.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for left knee instability and denied any compensable rating for varicose veins of the left leg.

The veteran's right knee disorders, including the status post right knee acute rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and traumatic arthritis, are rated at 20 percent. The left knee trauma with laceration is rated at 10 percent. The residuals of a shell fragment wound of the left upper arm (Muscle Group V) are also rated at 10 percent. The veteran's orchialgia is rated at 10 percent, and his bilateral hearing loss is rated as compensable prior to May 1, 2003, with an increased rating effective from that date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and restoration of a compensable rating for his right fibula fracture, finding that he did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on the nature of his disability.