Knee decisions — 2001

The veteran's service-connected left knee conditions are rated at 20 percent for status post left medial meniscectomy and 10 percent for left knee degenerative arthritis, effective October 1, 1996.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right knee, right tibia and fibula, and right elbow disabilities. The evidence did not support a higher evaluation under any applicable rating codes.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death was not due to service-connected disabilities, including his service-connected knee and back conditions.

The veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have been rated based on their current manifestations, with no higher evaluations granted.

The veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is severe and has prevented him from obtaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the veteran should be awarded TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) due to his chronic and severe lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted increased evaluations for the veteran's right and left knee disabilities, each rated at 30 percent. The extension of a temporary total disability rating beyond January 31, 1997 for residuals of a ruptured right Achilles tendon is also granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee osteochondritis dissecans, arthritis, chondromalacia, and a torn meniscus. The evidence did not provide new and material information to reopen the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, and her low back disorder is not service-connected as secondary to her knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the left knee is at least as likely as not related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found no current disability in the claimed conditions and denied service connection for all issues.

The Board found that the appellant did not have a period of active duty and therefore is not considered a veteran for purposes of receiving VA benefits. The right knee disorder was determined to be unrelated to service, as there was no evidence showing it was aggravated during any period of active duty. For the skin disorder claim, the appellant's current condition does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of his right knee disability and service connection for a left knee disability were denied by the RO. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, including from Charleston VAMC, and to schedule the veteran for a VA orthopedic examination.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for internal derangement of the left knee, status post traumatic patella dislocation and medial meniscectomy.

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for further development and readjudication, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent effective October 27, 1999. The veteran's residuals of head trauma with associated headaches are currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling and a higher rating is not warranted.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right knee disorder, residuals of a meniscectomy with degenerative arthritis, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right foot callosity, bilateral knee disorders, and lumbar spine disability. The veteran is currently receiving the maximum available rating for his right knee and left knee disabilities.

The Board has decided in favor of the veteran, granting service connection for a left knee disability. The decision is based on evidence that links the current condition to service without relying on any presumption or new and material evidence.

The veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has ordered additional development to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Board has determined that the appellant did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his claims for service connection for arthritis of the feet and knees. The RO denied these claims in September 1995 due to a lack of medical evidence linking the conditions to service.