Knee Board decisions

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected patellofemoral arthrosis of the right and left knees were denied due to his failure to report for scheduled VA medical examinations without good cause.

The veteran's claims for increased rating, pseudofolliculitis barbae, bilateral eye disorder, and residuals of a fracture of the right little finger were denied. The Board found that service connection was established for chondromalacia of the patella, left knee.

The VA denied the veteran's request for an increased disability evaluation for his chronic left knee tendinitis, currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, which was previously denied in March 1970.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including degenerative and rheumatoid arthritis of the knees and spine, bilateral radicular pains due to nerve root compression, flat feet, and an eye disability, all claimed as secondary to his service-connected residuals of a stab wound of the right leg. The decision also denied reopening of his claim for residuals of a stab wound of the left leg.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left wrist and right knee, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and residuals of boils and high fevers, as well as the initial rating for PTSD. The veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently suffer from any low back or knee disabilities that are related to his active military service.

The Board denied service connection for the residuals of a left knee injury, status-post anterior cruciate ligament repair. The veteran's patella tendonitis was rated at 10 percent for both knees, with a noncompensable evaluation assigned for right knee tendonitis as of June 1, 1999.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The veteran's left knee internal derangement is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that this rating does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 5257. The veteran is also entitled to a separate 10 percent evaluation based on limitation of motion.

The veteran's low back strain with disc herniation and arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, while his right knee arthritis remains at 10 percent. The right knee instability issue was also granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and bilateral knee disabilities due to lack of current medical evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, which was previously denied due to lack of aggravation during service. The case will now proceed on the merits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disabilities, including degenerative arthritis and instability, warrant a 10 percent evaluation each. The conditions do not meet criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as it did not show flexion limited to 15 degrees or extension limited to 20 degrees. The current 20 percent rating was upheld.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection of a right knee disability and low back disability, resulting in their continued denial.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current left knee disability and did not incur such a disability during service. The evidence showed minimal degenerative changes in the left knee, but these were not shown to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's left knee arthritis as secondary to his service-connected right knee disorder, effective from March 10, 1998. The effective date of the grant of service connection for his right knee disorder was also established based on VA medical evidence within one year prior to the November 30, 1998 claim.

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