Knee Board decisions

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his knee disabilities were denied. The right knee was rated at 10 percent, the left knee instability at 20 percent, and traumatic arthritis at 10 percent.

The Board denied entitlement to increased schedular ratings for postoperative residuals of a right knee impairment and degenerative joint disease of the right knee. The claim for an extraschedular evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the left hip from September 30, 1992 was also denied.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the claim of service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability.

The veteran's left knee disability is service-connected as a result of his right knee disability. His degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been granted with a rating of 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and the increased evaluation claims for residuals of a gunshot wound of the left groin and shell fragment wounds of the knees. The veteran's current headache complaints are not related to his military service, and he was last examined by VA in 2002.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to determine the etiology of the claimed disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected right knee disability was increased to a 30 percent evaluation, and he was granted an initial 10 percent evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the right knee. The case also addressed his claim for a total evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current right knee disability that began during active military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's right knee laxity, effective from August 14, 2003. The limitation of motion remains at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C, right ear hearing loss, and left knee disability claims require additional evidence and examination to determine their etiology and severity.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional information and for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back, left knee, heart (other than hypertension), and liver disorders in May 1995 and October 1996 due to a lack of evidence of chronic disabilities associated with service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral hip disorder, left knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, or thoracic spine disorder related to service. As such, these claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for his right knee replacement is remanded due to the need for an additional VA examination. The case will be reviewed again after the examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a personality disorder due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities. The veteran failed to report for a scheduled VA examination, which prevented the Board from determining if he currently had these conditions.

The veteran's bilateral heel contusions are currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The left knee disability was found to be incurred in service, but the skin disability has been determined not to be related to service.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for post-traumatic degenerative joint disease of the left knee, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for internal derangement of the left knee and a separate 10 percent rating for arthritis of the left knee, both under the direct service connection theory. The veteran's appeal is now resolved in his favor.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for internal derangement of the left knee, finding that his pre-existing condition did not worsen during service.

The VA determined that the veteran's right knee disability, currently manifested by pain with limitation of flexion but no instability or subluxation, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.