Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking the appellant's current knee, shoulder, and lumbosacral strain disorders to his military service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his left knee disability alone does not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the claims for increased evaluations for patellofemoral syndrome, right and left knees. The claim for service connection for memory loss, muscle aches, and fatigue due to an undiagnosed illness was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's arthralgia of the knees and hips is related to his service, specifically repetitive trauma associated with routine duties in the military. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has made corrections to the decision, including adding a new diagnostic code and modifying the rating. The veteran now receives an additional 10 percent for left knee pain and weakness.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee and thigh conditions, as well as a total rating based on individual unemployability due to nonservice-connected psychiatric disability. The veteran was found not to meet the criteria for a total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) (extraschedular consideration).

The veteran is seeking a total disability rating based on unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities. The RO has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Board found that the veteran's claim was not well-grounded and denied it.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are not well-grounded. The right knee disability is denied due to lack of evidence linking current symptoms to service, while the right foot and ankle disabilities do not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's overall disability evaluation was increased from 20 percent to 50 percent, with the lumbosacral strain issue being rated at 20 percent and both knee issues remaining at 10 percent. The decision denied all claims for higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability warrants a rating of 10 percent prior to April 2, 1997 and a rating of 20 percent from June 1, 1997.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the knees and hips are not well grounded as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the left leg.

The veteran's service-connected low back disability, including DJD of L5-S1, is well-grounded. The claim for cervical spine disability, including cervical fusion of C4-5, is also well-grounded.,Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the right knee has been rated at 20% since October 1994. No increase in rating was granted for Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the left knee.,The veteran received a temporary total rating based on convalescence due to surgery and one month beyond.

The VA denied a compensable evaluation for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, citing no more than subjective complaints of pain without objective clinical evidence of instability or functional impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his right elbow disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a well-grounded claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability warrants a 20 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5257, reflecting moderate recurrent subluxation or lateral instability. The issue of chronic lumbosacral strain is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for retropatellar arthralgia and ligament laxity of the left knee, effective from the date of this decision. The right knee remains rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disorder, right eye injury residuals, hypertension, stomach disorder, and skin disorders are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a link between any of these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee and low back disabilities preexisted service, thus rebutting the presumption of soundness. The veteran did not provide clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut this presumption. Therefore, his claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension are likely to have had their onset during active service. As a result, these conditions are granted as being incurred in or aggravated by service.