Knee Board decisions

The veteran's right knee disability, characterized as chondromalacia patella, results in limitation of extension to -10 degrees and flexion to 122 degrees with pain at 97 degrees. The VA has granted a 20 percent rating for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal for service connection for residuals of a right fourth finger fracture. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for neck, back, and left knee disorders are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for residuals of a back injury. The claims for bilateral knee disability, right foot disability, and right wrist nerve palsy are being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed right knee and left knee disorders, as well as his right shoulder and left shoulder disorders, were not incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected left lower extremity disabilities are denied as the combined rating already meets the maximum schedular rating available.

The Board has granted service connection for the right ulna and radius injuries, but denied service connection for a back disability. The rating for the right ulna and radius injuries remains at 10 percent after accounting for pre-existing impairment. The left knee chondromalacia is rated at 40 percent.

The veteran is entitled to additional special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claim, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disorders have been granted, with the effective date of November 2004.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the veteran's traumatic arthritis of the left knee, status post total knee replacement, effective from the date of the decision.

The VA denied a higher rating for the veteran's service-connected effort strain of both knees, prior to May 5, 2004. The evidence showed that the veteran could raise his legs from 90 to 0 degrees repeatedly and without difficulty during the examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for ligamentous laxity and degenerative arthritis of his left knee, finding that the evidence does not support higher ratings under any applicable criteria.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, arthritis, heart disability, PTSD, hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The reasons are provided in the decision.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for a left knee disability is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and to schedule the veteran for a VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in permanent loss of use of one or both feet, qualifying him for an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Board has granted increased evaluations for left knee injury with traumatic arthritis and left knee instability, both rated at 30 percent and 20 percent respectively.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on July 25, 2001 are eligible for payment or reimbursement due to the emergency nature of his treatment and the lack of feasible VA availability.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied, while he was granted a compensable rating for his right fourth metacarpal fracture. His cervical strain and bilateral shoulder bursitis were not found to be related to service, but his left knee disorder is considered incurred in service.