Knee decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for his shell fragment wound scars of the left cheek and buttocks. The RO is directed to schedule the veteran for VA examinations to determine if he has any of the claimed disabilities.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee disabilities and entitlement to TDIU are denied. The RO must review these claims again after considering the additional evidence submitted by the veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a chronic acquired left knee disorder, finding no medical evidence linking her current condition to her military service.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a low back disability incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection. For his right knee disability, he was granted an initial rating of 10% but denied any increase to higher ratings.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right and left knee disabilities, as well as her claim to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection of a left hip disability. The low back disability was also denied. The veteran is currently rated at 20% for both knees combined.

The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied. The decision states that the veteran had been gainfully employed from June 1995 to June 1998, and his last day of employment was May 30, 1998.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities of the right lower extremity do not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 10 percent evaluations.

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral patellofemoral syndrome and low back strain are related to service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The veteran's back scoliosis and right knee degenerative joint disease were not found to be related to service. However, the left lung tumor was granted service connection as it is considered a direct result of service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right ankle injury and did not grant compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for the veteran's injuries, including those resulting from a motor vehicle accident.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right knee disorder and service connection for sinusitis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee and right shoulder disabilities do not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable disability rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his claim of low back disability. The other issues were also denied as there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to active military service.

The veteran's left knee disability, which includes post-left knee meniscectomy with traumatic arthritis and left knee replacement, is currently rated at 30 percent disabling. The Board found that the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a right knee disorder due to new evidence of a current condition. However, the preponderance of the evidence is against establishing a link between the current condition and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disabilities do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that a 30 percent rating is appropriate for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a left knee meniscectomy, which includes symptoms such as left knee enlargement and instability.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee condition, characterized by recurrent subluxation or lateral instability and degenerative joint disease with painful motion, warrants a 20 percent rating for his service-connected right knee disability. A separate 20 percent rating is assigned for arthritis with painful motion.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability due to lack of competent medical evidence establishing a causal link between the two conditions.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for the service-connected left knee disability due to severe arthritis, limiting flexion to 15 degrees.