Knee decisions — 2001

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for gallbladder removal, lumbosacral strain, patellar realignment of the right knee, and patellar realignment of the left knee. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions warranted an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board finds that the veteran's low back pain is related to his service-connected disability of residuals injury right knee with traumatic arthritis, and thus grants secondary service connection for the low back pain.

The veteran's claims for service connection for knee and ankle disorders, stomach disorder (gastroesophagitis), peri-rectal warts, and dental injury from service trauma were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or chronic condition that is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that there is no competent and probative evidence of a right shoulder disability, respiratory disorder, left elbow disability, or right knee disability in service or currently. Therefore, the veteran's claims for these conditions are denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for right knee bursitis was denied as there is no medical evidence of current impairment.

The VA has denied increased ratings for the appellant's service-connected left wrist and right knee disabilities, currently rated at 10 percent each.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his left knee disability has been granted, but the maximum rating available under current regulations is 30 percent.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a fracture of the left femur with shortening and arthritis/bursitis of the left knee, finding that this disability is equivalent to malunion with marked knee disability.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for each of the veteran's service-connected chondromalacia of the right and left knees, finding that it is more nearly reflective of moderate subluxation.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration of whether separate ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5003 and 5257 are warranted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher evaluations or service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his acromioclavicular joint separation of the right shoulder, meniscus tear of the left knee, and hypertension as there is no evidence of more than slight instability or subluxation in the left knee, and no objective medical evidence of recurrent instability or subluxation in the right shoulder.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for left knee disability due to new and material evidence submitted since the March 1993 rating decision. The Board finds that it is probable that the veteran's current left knee disability was acquired as a consequence of an inservice injury.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination. The issue of a compensable initial evaluation for his service-connected bilateral patellar tendinitis of the knees will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee as a residual of an inservice injury.

The veteran's non-service connected disabilities, including total hip replacement due to avascular necrosis and alcoholic liver disease, have resulted in incapacity requiring regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for osteoarthritis of the left wrist and bilateral knees, as well as his claim for mitral valve prolapse with severe mitral regurgitation, were denied. The veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for each affected joint under Diagnostic Code 5003.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a back injury, left knee condition, and right knee condition. The claim for increased evaluation for anxiety reaction was also denied.

The Board has determined that there is no connection between the veteran's in-service injury and his current degenerative joint disease of the right knee, which was first diagnosed many years after service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a fracture of the left femur with post-operative left knee and degenerative joint disease of the knee, which was previously rated as 30 percent disabling.