Knee Board decisions

The veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of this rating. The veteran's TDIU claim was also denied as his service-connected disability did not render him unemployable.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left knee disability.

The veteran's service-connected post-operative disability of the right fourth toe with painful callosities does not meet criteria for an increased rating beyond 10 percent.,There is no evidence that the veteran has a current disability of the right knee or hip that is related to his service-connected disability of the right fourth toe. Therefore, service connection for these disabilities secondary to the right fourth toe is denied.,Similarly, there is no evidence that the veteran has a current disability of the right ankle or lumbar spine that is related to his service-connected disability of the right fourth toe. Therefore, service connection for these disabilities secondary to the right fourth toe is also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chalazion and left knee disorder, as well as his claim for an initial disability rating greater than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus. The effective date of service connection is set at July 9, 2001.

The veteran seeks service connection for a left knee disorder, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected right knee meniscus injury. The Board has determined that additional development is needed and the case is being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's left knee disability and assigned a 20 percent rating, which is higher than the initial 10 percent rating previously assigned.

The Board found that the veteran's synovitis of the left knee, characterized by degenerative joint disease (DJD) and limited motion, warrants a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has restored a 30% disability rating for traumatic arthritis of the right knee due to service-connected recurrent dislocations, effective from February 4, 1999. The veteran's claim is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for headaches, a back disorder, and a knee disorder. The VA found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board found no medical relationship between the veteran's current back and left knee disabilities and his service-connected pes planus, thus denying both claims for secondary service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, chronic lumbar strain, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Board has granted a 60 percent disability rating for the veteran's right knee arthroplasty with traumatic arthritis and history of ACL reconstruction, effective from January 25, 1999.

The Board denied service connection for chronic acquired right knee and low back disorders, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active duty service or secondary to the service-connected left knee disorders.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current disability related to his military service for his claimed lumbar spine, left knee, and respiratory disorders. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's chondromalacia of the left knee, status-post repair of torn medial meniscus.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for residuals of a left knee injury and degenerative joint disease of the left knee were denied as there is no evidence of instability or ankylosis, warranting higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for pneumonia and a left knee disorder, finding no evidence linking these conditions to active service. The claim for an increased rating for right knee medial collateral ligament strain was also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection of residuals of left leg injury, right knee injury, and right leg injury are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for issuance of a statement of the case on issues related to service connection and initial rating for knee disabilities. Additional development, including examination and obtaining records, is required.