Knee decisions — 2000

The VA determined that the veteran's left knee disability, characterized as post-operative residuals of multiple surgeries with arthritis, does not warrant a rating greater than 30 percent from October 1, 1993.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right knee disability. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his right knee disability was also denied.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected right shoulder tenosynovitis and left knee degenerative arthritis, effective from September 1, 1992.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 30 percent for the left knee disability, effective from when the current evaluation was last increased in March 1994. The other claims were not addressed as they are not service connection issues.

The Board has restored service connection for the veteran's right knee disability, finding that it was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous to grant service connection on the basis of aggravation of a preexisting condition.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss and bilateral knee disorder are not well-grounded. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a current disability as defined by VA regulations, and there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The VA determined that the veteran's left knee disability, currently rated at 30 percent, does not warrant an increased rating due to lack of evidence showing subluxation, instability, crepitation, excess fatigability, swelling, or atrophy.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current amputation below the right knee to an injury or disease during his service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and forearm conditions have been granted, with the effective date set at October 8, 1998.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for chondromalacia of the right and left knees, finding that the veteran's knee disabilities are no more than 10 percent disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and an increased evaluation for his left knee disability, as well as a temporary total rating based on convalescence. The veteran was not granted any of these requests.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for post-operative residuals of the left knee injury and a 10 percent rating for degenerative joint disease of the left knee with limitation of motion, both effective from the date of the November 1996 rating decision.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current conditions to his service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability of the right knee and denied service connection for a right knee condition.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his left knee disorder, currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects the veteran's symptoms and limitations.

The Board has awarded a separate 10 percent rating for lateral instability and recurrent subluxation of the right knee, due to degenerative joint disease. The initial ratings for bilateral degenerative joint disease remain at 10 percent each.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations of his scars and right knee disability, as well as service connection for a right shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, and kidney disorder. The Board also found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for left shoulder disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical strain, left knee chondromalacia, and lumbosacral strain are all related to his active service. The original rating of 20 percent for the low back disability is granted.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and right knee disabilities, finding no well-grounded evidence to support these claims. The claim for reopening a previously denied right ankle disability is also denied.