Knee decisions — 2001

The veteran's combined non-service-connected disability rating is 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and bilateral knee arthritis, finding no evidence of such conditions during or related to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not require a program of vocational rehabilitation under chapter 31, as his education and work experience are sufficient to find suitable employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, psychiatric disorders other than PTSD, bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, right ear disability, bilateral hip and shoulder disabilities. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's cervical spine osteophytes with radiculopathy and has assigned a 20% rating. The ratings for the right knee, left knee, hypertension, and low back condition are all in accordance with current regulations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar strain, bilateral knee disorders, and right elbow strain.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disability does not meet the criteria for a total rating due to unemployability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability warrants a rating of 20 percent for synovitis and arthritis, with functional loss due to pain. The current 20 percent evaluation is maintained.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic back disorder and left knee arthritis, but denied both on the merits due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing right knee disorder, chondromalacia patella, was aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. As a result, the veteran is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disability, which included degenerative joint disease and residuals of a right knee injury from April 1, 1998 to July 8, 2001, did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent due to lack of recurrent subluxation or lateral instability. The veteran's disability was rated as 20 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left knee, right shoulder, and low back disabilities due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his period of active duty service.

The appellant's claim for a certificate for specially adapted housing and/or home adaptation grant was denied because he did not meet the criteria based on blindness or loss of use of the upper extremities. The appeal is also remanded to address new claims for service connection.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's left knee medial meniscectomy, finding that it meets the criteria for recurrent lateral instability. The right total knee replacement continues at a 30 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right lower extremity disability were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability is related to an inservice injury and has therefore established service connection for this condition.

The veteran's scars of the right thumb and left knee are found to be service-connected. The veteran's DeQuervain's tendinitis, right thumb, and osteoarthritis of the left knee are not found to be service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disorder, genital herpes, and a right thigh contusion. The veteran is assigned a noncompensable rating for his cervical spine disability.

The VA has denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected right knee disability, currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found that symptomatology associated with the veteran's right knee most nearly approximates moderate impairment and does not warrant a higher rating under DC 5257.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a heart condition. The veteran's arthritis of the left knee is also denied as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence showing it existed prior to service.