Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left knee and low back conditions, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any diagnosed conditions related to his service in the Gulf War Theater, and thus cannot establish service connection for shortness of breath, fatigue, elbow pain, hip pain, back pain, or knee pain as due to undiagnosed illness.

The Board found that the veteran's current left knee and left foot conditions are not related to his October 1992 fall at a VA hospital, and therefore denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for these disabilities.

The Board is considering multiple claims, including increased rating for a right knee injury and service connection for various conditions. The decision on each claim will be determined based on the evidence presented.

The Board finds that the veteran's right knee disability was not incurred during active service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 10% for the veteran's left knee disability, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected left knee disorder, effective from January 1996. The claim for a temporary total evaluation due to convalescence following surgery is denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected left knee disorder was denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right knee disability and ano fissure, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine from November 13, 2001. The veteran's other knee conditions and low back disability are rated at their current levels.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board found that the appellant's current right knee disability is not related to his period of military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability warrants a 30 percent evaluation effective June 3, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, psychiatric disorder, low back disorder, chondromalacia of the right knee, left shoulder disability, and headaches have all been denied. The evidence submitted since the last final denial does not provide new or material evidence to reopen any of these claims.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is service-connected and rated at 10% since October 1, 2002. The initial ratings for post-operative degenerative joint disease of the right knee (rated as 10%) and instability of the right knee (also rated as 10%) are upheld.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings are denied as no more than the current evaluations adequately reflect his symptoms and functional impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee disability is due to his participation in a VA compensated work therapy program, and thus compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is granted.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for PTSD and increased evaluations for right knee chondromalacia patella with possible meniscus tear, and muscle herniation, anterior tibial muscle with hypesthesia and anterior tibial nerve, right.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, right ankle, and lumbosacral spine disabilities on the basis that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease leading to these conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic left knee disability present during service or after separation, and thus the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left knee injury cannot be granted.