Knee decisions — 2000

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected corneal scar of the left eye and right knee disorder were denied by the RO. The evidence did not show any significant impairment or symptoms related to these conditions.

The veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, including bipolar disorder and degenerative arthritis of the back and knee, which have rendered him unemployable.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected left knee replacement, effective from April 1997. The right knee disability is rated at 10 percent for arthritis and 10 percent for genu recurvatum.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and right hip disorder, finding that new evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen his previously denied claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability. The claim is well-grounded as there is current evidence of a left knee disability, credible testimony regarding an in-service injury, and sufficient medical nexus evidence.

The Board denied service connection for right knee disability as secondary to the service-connected chondromalacia of the left patella, and upheld the current rating of 20 percent for chondromalacia of the left patella.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for his service-connected disabilities of the right knee and lumbosacral spine, finding that an increased rating was not warranted under applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's service-connected right and left knee disorders have been rated at 10 percent each since December 17, 1992. The RO has now restored these ratings to reflect the effective date of his discharge from service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a right third finger injury, a right knee disorder, and a left knee disorder due to lack of medical evidence linking current disabilities to his military service.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for the veteran's right total knee replacement residuals and has also granted a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's claimed conditions to his service-connected heart disease or any incident of service. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board dismissed the veteran's claims for service connection for left hip and left knee disorders due to a lack of an adequate and timely substantive appeal.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a home adaptation grant due to his service-connected disabilities not meeting the regulatory requirements.

The Board has granted initial ratings of 10 percent for overuse syndrome of the right and left knees, with degenerative joint disease shown by X-ray examination.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral wrist disability is denied. The Board finds that the veteran has a current left knee disability related to his military service and grants service connection for it, with an initial evaluation of 20%. The veteran's onychomycosis does not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and compensable ratings for his left knee, right shoulder, and right elbow disabilities. The hearing loss disability was also not evaluated as well-grounded.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's left wrist disability and declined to reopen his claim of service connection for a left knee disability.

The Board finds that the veteran's left knee disorder is manifested by moderate impairment and non-compensable limitation of motion, warranting a 20% evaluation effective from August 25, 1997. The issue of service connection for bunions is not currently before the Board as it has been determined to be not well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, characterized as residuals of an enlarged tibial tubercle, does not warrant a rating greater than the current 10 percent assigned.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent disability evaluation, effective June 9, 1998. The veteran's low back disorder was not found to be related to service, but the claim was reopened based on new evidence. The right knee condition is currently rated as 30 percent disabling.