Knee Board decisions

The veteran's claim for service connection on all four issues is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The veteran's claim for service connection for gout was not addressed. The RO denied the claim for hypertension in February 1996 and the veteran did not appeal this decision. Service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee was granted with a 10 percent rating effective June 26, 1984. The issue of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee remains pending.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied. The veteran also seeks a permanent and total rating for non-service-connected disability pension purposes, but the case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and determine if he meets the criteria.

The veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of a left knee injury with traumatic arthritis are properly rated at 10 percent for arthritis and 20 percent for instability, resulting in a combined rating of 30 percent.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a comprehensive orthopedic examination to determine the current level of impairment due to his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and denied entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for residuals of a right total knee arthroplasty. The issue of entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability was also addressed.

The Board granted service connection for chondromalacia of the right and left knee, each rated at 10 percent disabling. The veteran's claims for higher ratings were also granted.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the knees, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to cold exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee chondromalacia, post-operative with scars, warrants a 30 percent evaluation.

The veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling for arthritis, and a separate 10 percent rating has been granted for instability. The current evaluation adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The RO denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability in August 1955, and no new and material evidence has been submitted since then.

The VA determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities are denied, as there is no evidence of a claim for service connection prior to January 12, 1999.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's left arm nerve disability and superficial scar above his left knee, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of the current 40 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee DJD with chondrocalcinosis and meniscus tear warrants a 20 percent disability rating, effective from the date of his claim. The issue regarding right knee laxity is not addressed as it does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right knee disability and denied his claim for service connection. The psychiatric disability claim is pending as it requires further development.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a shell fragment to the left knee, with patellectomy do not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 20 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back and right knee disorders were not incurred or aggravated during service, and arthritis of these conditions was not manifest within a year after separation from service. The claims are therefore denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's left knee disability, characterized by degenerative traumatic arthritis and laxity, warranted a 30 percent evaluation following prosthetic replacement of the knee joint. The veteran appealed for an increased evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claims, finding no new and material evidence. The RO confirmed the noncompensable rating for his right knee dislocation based on DC 5257.