Knee Board decisions

The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected left leg and knee disabilities, finding that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his conditions.

The VA determined that the veteran's right knee disability, with mild degenerative joint disease and full range of motion, did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent for the period March 10, 1999, to January 25, 2004.

The Board found that the veteran currently does not have any chronic right knee disability and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board found that there is insufficient evidence to establish a direct service connection for the veteran's low back and right knee disorders, resulting in their denial.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the veteran's left knee disability. The issue of service connection for Osgood-Schlatter disease is also inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The veteran's service-connected right knee disability, including residuals of right knee surgery and arthritis with limitation of motion, is currently rated at 20 percent. The RO has denied the claims for increased ratings.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for a spine and neck disorder and contusions of bilateral knees. The appeals are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the left knee is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected bilateral foot disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected postoperative residuals of a right knee injury was denied. The current rating of 30 percent is maintained as the disability has been in effect for over 20 years and cannot be reduced under VA regulations.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability, currently rated at 10 percent, does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating based on recurrent subluxation or lateral instability. However, it did find that he has limitation of motion warranting a separate 10 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5260.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluations of his service-connected left knee arthritis was denied. Prior to July 10, 2002, the evaluation remained at noncompensable (0%). From July 10, 2002 onwards, an evaluation in excess of 10% is not warranted.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a kidney disorder and granted service connection for residuals of shrapnel wounds to the right knee and chest. The veteran's current conditions are rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board granted a temporary 100% rating for the veteran's right knee disability from July 19, 2000 to August 31, 2001. From September 1, 2001, the veteran is rated at 30%. The effective date remains pending as it was not specified in the decision.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a left knee disorder secondary to his right foot stress fracture with metatarsalgia and an increased rating for his right foot disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and requests for additional development.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities in the conditions listed, and thus denied service connection for all claimed disabilities.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee instability and arthritis are being remanded to the RO for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of extraschedular rating.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for post-operative residuals of a left knee osteotomy, traumatic arthritis as a post-operative residual of a left knee osteotomy, and instability as a post-operative residual of a left knee osteotomy were denied by the Board. The conditions have been manifested by complaints of pain, swelling, crepitus, locking, and weakness at various times, with some improvement in symptoms since April 3, 1998.