Knee decisions — 2000

The veteran's claim for separate service connection for degenerative joint disease, right knee, status post arthroplasty as secondary to the service-connected amputation, left leg, below the knee and loss of use of right leg is denied. The temporary total rating based on convalescence following right lower extremity surgery is also denied. The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on anatomical loss of use of both legs at levels, or with complications, preventing natural knee action with prostheses in place is denied.

The veteran's allergic rhinitis, dysthymia, status post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction of the left knee, and scar from nevi on the back are all service-connected. The veteran received a noncompensable rating for dysthymia, which was increased to 30 percent effective April 1997. The veteran's left knee condition is rated at 10 percent since April 1997.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder, including strain with ulceration and traumatic arthritis, does not warrant a higher rating than 10 percent. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for arthritis of the left knee due to painful motion.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of both knees, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or painful motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection of postoperative residuals of bilateral total knee arthroplasties for degenerative joint disease of the knees, as secondary to his service-connected right leg disorder, is well-grounded. The RO must now address the appropriate rating criteria and determine if a higher evaluation can be assigned.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for a right knee disability is being remanded due to incomplete examination and the need to consider separate ratings for arthritis and instability of the knee.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee disability, including arthritis. The veteran currently has a combined 20 percent rating.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records, as well as potential development of his claim for service connection for a back disorder.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, respiratory disorder other than COPD resulting from exposure to asbestos and polyurethane products, and otitis externa of the right ear. The veteran is also seeking service connection for fatigue and nausea as due to an undiagnosed illness, but has not been examined for this purpose.

The veteran's psoriasis and onychomycosis are currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has found that the current symptomatology does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7806, but finds that separate ratings can be assigned for each condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to need for further development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a social and industrial survey. The veteran's service-connected disabilities are being evaluated along with his nonservice-connected conditions.

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

The VA denied a compensable disability evaluation for the veteran's service-connected residuals of scar, left knee. The condition is currently manifested by a well-healed, nontender scar on the mid patellar region of the left knee with full range of motion and no functional impairment.

The veteran's disabilities are all nonservice-connected and do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension in the form of housebound benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected residuals of a left knee injury and headaches, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's service-connected low back disorder, cervical spine HNP, and residuals of deviated nasal septum are all granted with the appropriate disability ratings. The right knee disorder remains unresolved.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for evaluations of his service-connected disabilities, including residuals of a gunshot wound to the left thigh and fracture of the left femur with arthritis of the left knee, degenerative changes of the coccyx-femoral joint in the left hip, and a scar on the lateral aspect of the left upper thigh. The ratings are all 10 percent.

The Board granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, finding that it did not meet criteria for higher evaluations due to instability or limitation of motion. Separate ratings were assigned for functional loss and limitation of motion.

The Board denied increased evaluations for left and right knee chondromalacia, finding that the veteran's disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a compensable evaluation under applicable diagnostic codes.