Knee decisions — 2000

The Board denied service connection for shooting pains in the upper extremities as secondary to a service-connected lower back disability. However, it granted an increased evaluation of 30% for the veteran's left knee disability.

The veteran is seeking a higher disability rating for his service-connected traumatic synovitis of the right knee, currently rated at 20 percent. The Board has ordered a new examination to clarify the current manifestations and severity of his right knee disability.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple orthopedic issues, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total rating based on individual unemployability due to these conditions.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for degenerative joint disease of the right knee is granted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability warrants a 10% rating, but denied a compensable rating for his right knee disability.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee injury residuals do not warrant a higher evaluation at any time since June 1990, based on limitation of motion; from April 23, 1997 to February 16, 1999, based on lateral instability; and from February 17, 1999 to the present, based on lateral instability and functional loss. The veteran is currently evaluated at a combined 20 percent for both conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a psychiatric disorder, head injury, right knee injury, headaches, and cardiac arrhythmia were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or their onset in service.

The Board has granted a compensable rating of 10 percent for bursitis of the left shoulder, effective from November 1, 1972.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals, arthroscopy with partial medial meniscal tear, left knee do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under any applicable rating code.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability and a right hip disability are not well grounded. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a right foot disability was withdrawn by the appellant prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's bronchitis and bronchial asthma, left knee medial meniscectomy, fractures of various bones, tinea pedis, and bilateral plantar warts.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of multiple joints and a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of left knee injury, finding that his current joint pain is not related to service or any incident of service.

The veteran's left knee disability, including post-surgical meniscectomy and traumatic arthritis, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that the condition warrants a separate 10 percent rating for instability and subluxation, as well as a separate 10 percent rating for painful motion due to arthritis.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in employment consistent with his education and occupational experience, so a total rating based on individual unemployability is denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of his claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 17, 1997 and from March 17, 1997 through September 30, 1998. On or after October 1, 1998, the veteran's disability did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and joint space narrowing of both knees, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's left knee strain was granted service connection. The right knee condition, initially rated at 10%, is denied for a higher rating. Service connection for lumbosacral strain is granted with an initial evaluation of 10%. Service connection for left shoulder strain is denied.