Knee decisions — 2000

The veteran's service-connected right knee disability, chronic headaches, and chronic sinusitis are rated at 10 percent each. The rating for mitral valve prolapse is also 10 percent.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence of a current back disorder, hypertension, or left knee disorder. Therefore, the claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right knee injury is not well-grounded because there is no competent medical evidence linking his current right knee disorder to an in-service injury.

The Board has granted a separate disability rating for arthritis and instability of the left knee, with an overall current rating of 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease as secondary to ulcerative colitis and granted a 10% evaluation for osteoporosis of the right knee. The Board also granted a 20% evaluation for healed sacroiliitis effective from March 24, 1994.

The Board has granted a 30 percent initial rating for the veteran's service-connected residuals of right knee surgery and a separate 10 percent rating for traumatic arthritis of the right knee.

The Board found that the reduction in the disability rating from 10% to noncompensable for chondromalacia left patella, effective July 1, 1999, was not proper. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected chondromalacia left patella was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a disability of the lumbosacral spine and granted service connection for a shrapnel wound scar of the right knee. The veteran's claim for other musculoskeletal disabilities of the right knee was not addressed as it is considered part of the service-connected scar.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee subpatellar chondromalacia with history of torn medial meniscus and partial tear of anterior cruciate ligament, finding the veteran's impairment comparable to slight recurrent subluxation or lateral instability without additional functional loss due to pain or other pathology.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition. However, there is no competent medical evidence linking any current right knee disability to the veteran's active duty service.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for a left knee condition, secondary to traumatic synovitis of the right knee, is not well grounded and therefore denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than what was already assigned.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's death to his service-connected conditions, and thus denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not establish a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right and left knee RPPS with chondromalacia do not warrant increased evaluations as they are characterized by slight or no limitation of motion, pain with swelling, and spurring in the left knee.

The Board has determined that the claim is well-grounded and grants service connection for residuals of a right knee injury, finding it at least as likely as not related to active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is well-grounded. The case is remanded to further develop evidence and determine if there is a link between the current right knee disorders and service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected below the knee amputation of the right lower extremity does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 40 percent. The claims for secondary service connection for left ankle, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities were denied as they are not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee chondromalacia warrants a 30 percent evaluation, which is the maximum under Diagnostic Code 5257. Additionally, the VA examiner found degenerative joint disease with limitation of motion warranting an additional 10 percent evaluation.

The Board determined that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder.