Knee Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disorder, which is rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5257 (recurrent subluxation or lateral instability), does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as there was no indication of severe impairment. The highest schedular rating under this code is 30 percent.

The veteran's appeal for service connection and a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss was granted. Service connection for the right knee disorder is still pending.

The RO denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities, as they determined he was not unemployable.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, including left knee and varicose veins. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine and left knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a compensable level of disability warranting an initial rating higher than the currently assigned evaluations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his right knee disability, finding that it did not warrant a rating higher than the current 10 percent.

The Board denied reopening and service connection for Osgood Schlatter's disease of the left knee, finding no new and material evidence to support the claim.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected right knee disability, currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the knees and feet, a bilateral shoulder disability, and a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support the veteran's assertions that his current conditions were related to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, with no higher rating possible under the applicable diagnostic codes. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding warranting an increased rating for either knee.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bronchitis and arthritis of the knees and spine, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions, including above-the-knee amputation of the right lower extremity and coronary artery bypass graft with hypertension, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The combined disability rating is 80 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and for reopening his claim for service connection for a dental condition, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between any current disabilities and service.

The VA determined that the veteran's postoperative residuals, right knee with arthritis do not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and arthritis of the left ankle, but granted an initial compensable evaluation (10%) for residuals of a left ankle sprain.,There is no evidence linking the veteran's current right knee or left ankle conditions to his military service.

The veteran's right knee disability is rated at 40 percent, but he seeks a higher rating.,He also seeks an earlier effective date for the 60 percent rating of his low back disability and total unemployability rating.

The Board denied an increase in a 20 percent rating for the veteran's residuals of a right knee injury, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right hip condition, including arthritis, or left femur and left knee conditions that arose as a result of service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the veteran's left knee disability, which combines his existing 20 percent rating for sprain and a separate 10 percent rating for arthritis. The decision is based on severe weakness, incoordination, fatigability, and instability of the knee joint.