Knee decisions — 2001

The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability effective from December 6, 1991.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic left knee disability, including arthritis and traumatic arthritis. The rating assigned is 30 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left ankle has been evaluated as moderate, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The veteran's service-connected right knee disorder with degenerative arthritis has been evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The veteran's service-connected right shoulder disorder has not been rated compensably.

The Board has determined that the veteran's continued authorization to receive monthly fee-basis outpatient psychotherapy is denied as VA facilities in Albuquerque are capable of providing such care, and it would not impose undue hardship on him.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right and left knee disorders warrant a 10 percent rating each, effective from December 17, 1992.

The Board has denied the increased rating claims for Depressive disorder with anxiety, diminished sensation of the face in the distribution of the trigeminal nerve, and chondromalacia of both knees.

The veteran's claims for reopening a right knee disability claim and service connection for sinusitis are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran's knee pain and weakness were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, including as a result of undiagnosed illnesses. Service connection for right and left knee disabilities was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's migraine headaches, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral knee disorders are of service origin. The hearing loss was not shown during service or currently. The low back strain is already rated at its maximum disability level.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC by reason of the need for additional aid and attendance benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his knee disabilities.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee conditions, finding that they do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The RO found that the left knee disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating, while the residuals of the Achilles tendon injury met criteria for a 20% evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation than the current 10 percent rating.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, tinea cruris, and warts on his right knee. The conditions preexisted service or were not shown to have increased in severity during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, finding that there was no competent medical evidence demonstrating that his conditions resulting in the left above the knee amputation and subsequent surgeries were caused by VA hospitalization or treatment.

The Board has granted service connection for paravertebral muscle spasm of the cervical spine and subpatellar chondromalacia of the right knee with probable bursitis. The veteran is currently receiving a 10 percent disability rating for his cervical spine condition, effective from September 10, 1996, and a 10 percent disability rating for his right knee condition as of that date.

The Board has determined that an extraschedular evaluation of 30 percent, but not more, is warranted for limitation of motion in the right knee due to post-operative residuals of degenerative joint disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, bilateral pes planus, and dorsal spine disability. The current evaluations are found to be appropriate.