Knee Board decisions

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for traumatic arthritis of the right knee with limitation of motion and pain was denied. The current rating is 10 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for left ankle disorder. The issue of service connection for right knee disorder is REMANDED to the RO.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease with atrial fibrillation and amputation of the left thigh, have resulted in a level of incapacity consistent with loss of use of his right foot. The Board has determined that he is entitled to special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the right foot.

The Board denied service connection for multiple basal cell carcinomas of the skin and leiomyosarcoma of the knee, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to radiation or DDT that could support a presumption. The conditions were not shown to be directly related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee and residuals of a right knee injury, characterized as chondromalacia patella. The RO found that there was no evidence of arthritis or instability in either knee, and the range of motion was within normal limits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disorder did not have its onset during service or within one year of service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The VA determined that the veteran's left knee disability, which includes residuals of a lateral meniscectomy, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine if he currently has any residuals of shell fragment wounds to the right knee. The claim for service connection and eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant are both pending.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right knee disorder during service and denied the claim for service connection.

The RO denied increased ratings for left knee traumatic arthritis with limitation of flexion and extension, as well as a compensable rating for left knee strain. The veteran's left knee disabilities are currently rated at 20 percent for traumatic arthritis with limitation of flexion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic right and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim for diabetes mellitus. The veteran's diabetes mellitus was granted based on a current diagnosis.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected atypical vascular /migraine headaches, effective from February 24, 1993. The other issues on appeal have been referred to the RO for further action.

The Board found that the evidence did not show a right knee disorder was caused or made worse by active military service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left knee, effective from May 2002.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for tendonitis of the left knee and service connection for costochondritis, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating or a link to service.

The VA determined that the veteran's left knee disability, characterized by pain, swelling, and limited range of motion, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of the current 20 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and increased evaluations for his left lower extremity disabilities. The evidence did not support the presence of an underlying objectively demonstrated right knee disability, nor was there any indication that the current complaints were related to his service-connected conditions.

The veteran's left knee disability, postoperative residuals of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and arthritic changes, is rated at 20 percent under the appropriate diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA physician to review the claims file and provide opinions regarding whether it is at least as likely as not that the veteran's service-connected left knee disorder caused or aggravated his right ankle and/or right knee disorders.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding medical records and a VA examination.