Knee Board decisions

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected residuals of multiple shrapnel fragment wounds of the left leg and knee, currently evaluated as 10 percent.

The veteran's brain tumor in postoperative status is service-connected, and his tinea pedis was also incurred during active service. The other claims for service connection are not well-grounded.

The Board denied service connection for a right index finger injury and denied increased evaluations for hypertension and multiple myeloma of the right sacral area. The appellant's left knee disorder was granted service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for migraine headaches and granted a 30 percent evaluation for flat feet. The claims for right and left knee disorders, as well as an increased evaluation for fracture of the little toe of the left foot, are addressed in the remand portion.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for her left knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative joint disease, finding that the current rating adequately reflects her disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected chronic right knee disorder was denied because he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hammertoes, right knee disorder, and left heel bone spur. The RO had previously granted service connection for these conditions but did not provide higher ratings.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and hay fever, chronic right knee disability, chronic left knee disability, and a chronic pulmonary disability. The claims are well-grounded as there is evidence suggesting these conditions may be related to his military service.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for the veteran's right knee condition, which includes instability and degenerative joint disease. A separate compensable rating is assigned for traumatic arthritis. The veteran's claim for total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was also granted.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's right knee disability, which includes both instability and arthritis with limited motion. The claim for superficial phlebitis of the right leg is denied as there is no evidence of persistent moderate swelling. Service connection for a left knee condition secondary to the right knee disability is also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected left index finger amputation, shrapnel wound to the left thigh with involvement of Muscle Group XIV, and right arm scars. The residuals of a left knee scar were also not rated as compensable.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current left knee disability to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the left knee may be presumed to have been incurred in active service due to a history of meniscectomy prior to entry into military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for arthritis of the knees and an increased evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder. The appellant did not present a well-grounded claim for either issue.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's right knee disability, effective from the date of the decision. A separate 10 percent evaluation is also granted for degenerative changes of the right knee.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for various disorders are not well grounded, as there is no medical evidence showing current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 30 percent for the veteran's right knee disorder, which includes both residuals of a right knee injury and traumatic arthritis. The disability is rated as direct service connection.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the left thigh and also denied service connection for arthritis of the left knee and hip, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or service-connected condition.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (right total knee replacement and hypertensive cardiovascular disease) prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his occupational experience and education.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability with degenerative arthritis, effective from when the claim was filed. Service connection for a lower back disability is denied as not well grounded.