Knee decisions — 2001

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and his right knee disability (post-patellectomy) is rated at 20 percent. Both conditions meet the criteria for their respective ratings.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of both issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities do not warrant a higher disability rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for heart disorder, right shoulder disorder, and bilateral knee disorder due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on his employability and distinguishing the effect of his service-connected left knee arthroplasty from other nonservice-connected conditions.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of entitlement to a clothing allowance due to his service-connected left knee disability. The RO will provide further development as requested in the Joint Motion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and needs further development before a final decision can be made.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee condition is secondary to his service-connected flat feet and granted this claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder was incurred during active military duty and granted service connection for a left knee strain.

The Board found no evidence of a left knee disability during service or within one year after separation, and the current condition is not related to military service.

The veteran's service-connected knee disabilities, including anterior cruciate ligament repairs and arthritis in both knees, are currently rated at 10 percent each. The Board finds that the current evaluations do not warrant higher ratings as there is no evidence of more than moderate limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal for a timely substantive appeal of the denial of an increased evaluation for status post ACL reconstruction of the right knee. The claims for higher ratings for PTSD, patellofemoral pain syndrome (left knee), and myofascial lumbosacral spine pain are still pending.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder due to new and material evidence submitted since the November 1984 RO decision. The claim is now considered on its merits.

The Board has reopened the claim for PTSD due to new and material evidence. The left knee disability remains rated at 20 percent, with a separate rating of 10 percent for arthritis.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability was denied. The RO also determined that his claims for increased evaluations and total rating based on individual unemployability were denied.

The veteran's arthritis of the left knee is service-connected as it was caused by his service-connected fracture of the femur. His arthritis of the left hip does not have a service connection.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine, effective June 7, 1999. The evaluations for his bilateral knee disorders remain at 10 percent.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has determined that the veteran's appeal regarding an initial disability rating for his right knee disability is denied. The veteran contends that he should receive a higher disability rating, but the evidence does not support this claim.

The appellant's service-connected left knee disability, prior to May 12, 2000, was primarily manifested by constant pain, crepitus, effusion, and moderate ligamentous laxity. The Board determined that a combined 40 percent evaluation is warranted for the period in question.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected left knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of the current 30 percent, 10 percent, and 10 percent assigned for instability, residuals of a meniscectomy, and traumatic arthritis with painful motion, respectively.