Knee decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current low back disability or chronic knee disabilities, and therefore service connection cannot be granted. The RO's original ratings for right and left knee pain syndromes are upheld at 10 percent.

The veteran's right knee lateral collateral ligament reconstruction is rated at 30 percent disabling, and his service-connected right knee traumatic arthritis (previously rated as 10%) is rated at 10 percent. The veteran also has a non-service connected right knee scar rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability warrants a 20 percent evaluation, reflecting chronic instability and degenerative arthritis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his L5 spondylolysis and right knee patella femoral syndrome, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for either condition.

The veteran's claim for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and necessary adaptive equipment was denied due to the lack of evidence showing loss or permanent impairment of use of one or both feet or hands, or permanent impairment of vision of both eyes.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a video-conference hearing before a member of the Board.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder and granted service connection for hypertension, finding that these conditions had their onset during service. Service connection for left knee disorder is not addressed as it was not part of the appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee and a compensable evaluation for chronic rhinitis with history of tonsillitis and pharyngitis.

The veteran's combined disability rating is 70%, which meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The VA denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the current evaluations of 10 percent are appropriate based on the clinical findings.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an extension of his basic twelve-year period of eligibility for vocational rehabilitation training.

The veteran's disabilities, including arthritis in his right knee, tendonitis in his right ankle and foot, and hypertension, do not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. Therefore, he is not entitled to nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board granted a 20% disability rating for the veteran's left knee meniscectomy and increased his separate 10% rating for arthritis of the left knee. The RO also assigned noncompensable ratings for atrophy of the left thigh muscle, atrophy of the left calf muscle, and scars to the left knee.

The Board granted a 20% disability rating for the veteran's left knee meniscectomy and increased his separate 10% rating for arthritis of the left knee. The RO also assigned noncompensable ratings for atrophy of the left thigh muscle, atrophy of the left calf muscle, and scars to the left knee.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee condition, which includes a meniscectomy and arthritic changes, does not warrant an increased evaluation beyond 20 percent. The left knee condition of chondromalacia was also found to be adequately rated at 10 percent.

The veteran withdrew his appeal, requesting the Board to dismiss it.

The veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded because the VA examination report does not contain an adequate assessment of his left knee disability, particularly with respect to pain and functional impairment. The RO must obtain all relevant medical records, schedule the veteran for a VA examination, and ensure that the claims folder is made available to the examiner.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic acquired right knee disorder, finding no evidence of current disability and concluding that any pre-existing condition was not aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability, post-operative meniscectomy and retropatellar pain syndrome, warrants a 30 percent evaluation effective from September 4, 1998.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for the residuals of a right knee injury. The appellant's right knee disorder preexisted service, but was aggravated by service beyond its natural progression.