Knee decisions — 2000

The veteran's service-connected right knee conditions were granted initial evaluations, with the most recent evaluation being a 30 percent rating effective January 1, 1999.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for post-operative residuals of the right knee injury and arthritis of the right knee, both rated under diagnostic codes 5260 (limitation of flexion) and 5010 (degenerative arthritis).

The veteran's right TKR residuals are currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board has granted a current 20 percent disability rating for right knee sprain since January 6, 1998. Prior to that date, the veteran's right knee sprain was rated as noncompensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, secondary to his service-connected left knee condition, finding no competent medical evidence linking the current right knee issues to his service-connected left knee disorder.

The veteran's ulcerative colitis and left knee injury have been rated based on their current severity. The rating for ulcerative colitis has been reduced from 100% to 60%, effective October 1994, with a subsequent increase to 60% in February 1997. The veteran's left knee injury remains at a 20% disability rating.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation to 40 percent for chondromalacia of the left knee, effective June 2, 1994.

The Board has determined that the veteran's arthritis of the right and left knees did not exist during service or within one year after discharge, and is not related to active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for post-traumatic degenerative joint disease of the left knee and scars of the left knee are not well-grounded, as his current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of his conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder. The right knee and left knee injury claims are pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the right knee, cervical and dorsal/thoracic spine as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and an increased evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability was not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for postoperative left knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative joint disease and a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a right knee disorder, making it well grounded. The veteran's current right knee disability is likely related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and vision loss are not well grounded. As such, these claims cannot be granted.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for a service-connected left knee disability was denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and right leg disorders, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a scar of the right knee and a right knee joint disability, as well as his claim for an increased rating for PTSD. The veteran was not granted any new evaluations or benefits.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee arthritis and instability were denied as there was no evidence of more than slight instability or limitation of motion warranting a higher rating.

The Board has ordered the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide further evidence that the appellant's psychotherapy needs, including the prescription of tranquilizers as required, are available at the Santa Fe Vet Center. The VA must also review the relevant evidence and readjudicate the claim seeking an extended fee-basis authorization.

The Board has granted service connection for the left knee disability and assigned an initial noncompensable rating, effective from March 7, 1994. The appellant's appeal is about this initial rating decision.