Knee decisions — 2001

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his low back disorder, right leg varicose vein stripping scars, hemorrhoids, and knee disorders were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for any condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU due to his service-connected right knee instability and lumbar paraspinal muscle spasm, finding that the evidence did not support higher evaluations based on the current level of disability.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a right knee or right heel disorder during service, and the veteran's statements regarding injuries are not credible. Therefore, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, and it is granted.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected right knee and left shoulder disabilities, finding that they were already rated appropriately under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip sprain and assigned a 10 percent evaluation. The veteran's lumbar spine injury is rated as moderate with no additional limitation due to pain, spasm, or weakness. Bilateral tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines. Service connection was also established for bilateral hearing loss and right hip sprain. A noncompensable rating has been assigned for bilateral hip tendonitis.

The Board denied the claims for increased evaluations and eligibility for educational assistance, finding no new evidence to reopen service connection claims or establish entitlement. The low back condition was rated as noncompensable, chondromalacia of both knees as noncompensable, residuals of a left foot scar as noncompensable, and hallux valgus on the right as 10 percent disabling for purposes of accrued benefits.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for chronic left shoulder disability is denied.,The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability and entitlement to TDIU are granted, with the effective dates being August 18, 1997, and November 6, 1996 respectively.,The veteran was found unemployable due to service-connected disabilities as of November 6, 1996.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right knee disorder and/or pes planus, thus denying the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee injury, finding no evidence of current disability resulting from an in-service injury.

The VA has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected left knee injury, effective from March 2, 2000. The veteran is seeking an increased rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and increased evaluations of his knee disabilities. The cervical spine disorder is not considered to be secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim is more accurately characterized as seeking service connection for degenerative joint disease, left knee, secondary to his service-connected right leg disability. The RO denied this claim in February 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran currently has right knee and right ankle strain, which were incurred in service. The claim for left ankle strain is remanded. Post-traumatic headaches are also granted. Service connection for lumbosacral strain was not established.

The Board denied claims for secondary service connection for a right hip disability, whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for secondary service connection for a right knee disability, and an increased rating for the left knee disability.

The veteran's post-operative right knee arthroplasty is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting disabilities, including fractures and contusions sustained in a 1979 accident prior to service, did not worsen during his active duty. Therefore, he was denied service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including arthritis of the lumbar spine with DDD, left and right knee and ankle arthritides, as well as postoperative foot disabilities, have been granted increased evaluations.

The VA determined that the appellant's service-connected left knee prosthesis was no more than 30 percent disabling from September 1, 1996 to June 4, 1998.