Knee Board decisions

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected lumbar strain, as well as his secondary claims for right foot and right knee disabilities. The RO found that the veteran's lumbar strain was manifested by episodic muscle spasm and complaints of pain, resulting in no more than moderate limitation of motion.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left total knee replacements, currently evaluated at 30 percent each.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a bilateral knee disability, a heart disability, allergies, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left hands, and asthma due to lack of evidence of current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee disability was incurred in service, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of residuals of a left long finger injury and abdominal pain, finding no current diagnosed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right and left knee disorders were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to show they existed prior to service and were not aggravated during service. The VA examiner noted that the veteran had a pre-service injury but did not receive treatment for it until after service.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim that his current right knee disorder is related to his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for peptic ulcer disease and bilateral knee disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected postoperative residuals of surgical repair, right shoulder; chronic dislocations, left shoulder; and ligamentous strain, right knee. The current ratings for these conditions remain at 20 percent for the right shoulder and left shoulder, respectively, and zero percent for the right knee.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee and right ankle disorders are related to his military service.,Service connection is granted for a bilateral knee disorder manifested by x-ray changes, and a right ankle disorder manifested by injury or fracture residuals.

The Board has granted an initial and ongoing increased evaluation of 30 percent for the veteran's right knee disability, effective from April 12, 1996 to December 15, 1998, and on and after April 1, 1999.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for direct and secondary service connection for his right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current symptoms and his military service.

The Board has granted separate 10 percent ratings for arthritis of the right knee, left knee, and cervical spine during the entire period covered by this appeal.

The veteran claims compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for left knee hemarthrosis due to VA doctor error in June 1999, but the RO found no permanent injury and denied the claim. The Board finds additional development is necessary including a medical opinion on negligence.

The Board finds that the veteran's right knee disorder was incurred in service, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if there is any left knee disability and its relationship to service-connected right knee disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to his service-connected right knee disability contributing to his arteriosclerotic heart disease and congestive heart failure. The appellant is also eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits under Chapter 35.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of a right shoulder dislocation attributable to his period of military service and thus denied this claim. The left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for the removal of the right testicle, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine, and residuals of a right foot injury. The appellant's appeal was withdrawn regarding his left knee disability.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a right knee injury due to new and material evidence submitted since the August 1984 rating decision. However, the claim was denied as there is no evidence linking the current condition to an in-service injury or any incident.