Knee decisions — 2002

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and for increased evaluations of his bilateral varicose veins and traumatic arthritis of the right knee. The appeals were not about service connection, so no specific exposure basis was provided.

The Board has determined that the appellant's osteoarthritis of both knees, including right knee with total knee replacement and left knee, is likely attributable to his period of military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus and right knee disability, diagnosed as genu varum, did not worsen during service beyond its normal progression. The right ankle disability is not currently shown to be present.

The Board has granted the veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that new and material evidence supports this claim. The issue of service connection for bilateral pes planus remains unresolved.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee disability is not related to his service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the veteran's right ear hearing loss is service-connected, as it is at least as likely as not caused by in-service noise exposure. However, there is no evidence of left ear hearing loss or low back and right knee disabilities incurred during active duty.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, neck disability, and residuals of an injury to his right middle finger. The evidence does not support finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The VA denied increased ratings for the veteran's left foot metatarsalgia and left knee postoperative resection of the medial plica with chondromalacia, as both conditions are rated at their maximum allowable under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability on a secondary basis and for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for retropatellar chondritis of the left knee, postoperative, effective from June 1996.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected right fibula and tibia disability, finding that a higher rating was not warranted. The Board also found no separate compensable ratings were warranted for the right ankle or leg length shortening.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for bilateral knee disorder, right eye disorder, and scabies. The veteran's current evidence is sufficient to establish that he had a history of scabies in service but no current disability attributable to it.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for residuals of a fractured left leg, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disorder, including arthritis, and arthritis of left knee, cervical spine, and lumbar spine were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim was denied as there is no evidence showing arthritis within one year after separation from service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and granted a 20 percent rating for right femoral neuropathy. The claim for increased ratings for left knee residuals was also denied.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for bilateral varicose veins, and the veteran's right ankle and knee disabilities are rated at their maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for instability of the right knee anterior cruciate ligament, finding that the current 30 percent rating is the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left knee degenerative joint disease and ligamentous and meniscal tears, as well as right knee degenerative joint disease. The RO assigned a separate rating of 20 percent for ligamentous and meniscal tears of the left knee.

The veteran withdrew their appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left knee, currently rated at 20 percent.