Knee decisions — 2000

The veteran's appeal is for a total disability evaluation due to individual unemployability as a result of his service-connected disabilities. The RO must conduct further development, including obtaining medical opinions and contacting the veteran's previous employers.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, hypertension at 10 percent, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee at 10 percent, and eczematous dyshidrosis of the feet has been granted a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, right knee disability, left knee disability, shin splints, cervical strain, and lumbosacral strain. The RO assigned the current 10 percent rating since the grant of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the veteran's hearing acuity decreased during her active duty and is now within VA standards of disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow, left elbow, right wrist, and left wrist disabilities. The veteran's patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee was also not granted an initial compensable rating.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for service connection and reopening of claims are moot.

The Board has determined that the veteran's postoperative instability of the right knee warrants a separate compensable rating of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder due to lack of evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee scar, post-operative residuals of right knee surgery, and spastic colitis do not meet the criteria for an increased rating. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, finding that his back disability was not related to service. The left knee and right ankle injuries were also found unrelated to service.

The Board granted a disability rating of 20 percent for chondromalacia patella of the left knee, effective April 29, 1996.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a current left knee disability that he claims was incurred during his military service. The RO has not had the opportunity to apply Public Law No. 106-475, and further development of the claim is needed.

The Board denied increased ratings for chondromalacia of the right knee and residuals of anterior cruciate ligament tear of the left knee, finding that the veteran's symptoms did not warrant a higher rating based on his range of motion or other criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, Generalized Subcutaneous Lipomatosis, Chronic Bronchitis, COPD with a Predominant Asthmatic Component (secondary to herbicide exposure), and a Left Knee Disability secondary to a Service-Connected Low Back Disability. The veteran's service-connected scars, the residuals of excised lipomas, are rated as 10% disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, as there is no evidence of recurrent subluxation or lateral instability. The current disability rating remains at 20 percent.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a medial meniscectomy of the left knee, finding that this is sufficient to address his symptoms and disability.

The veteran's claim of service connection for the residuals of a left knee injury is granted. The Board finds that her current left knee disability, including the residuals of an anterior cruciate ligament disruption and reconstruction, is due to an injury incurred in service.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 20 percent for internal derangement of the left knee and denied any increase in rating for residuals of a fracture of the left wrist with arthritis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the appellant's reported stressors and determine if he currently has disabilities resulting from the disorders claimed as service connected. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disorder incurred or aggravated by service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection. The right knee disorder was also not granted an increased rating.