Knee decisions — 2002

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that there was no evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a left inguinal hernia secondary to the service-connected left femur and knee disability. The claim of an increased evaluation for residuals of a fracture of the left femur with traumatic arthritis of the left knee was granted, but only at a 20% rating effective May 18, 1999.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder was not caused by, proximately due to, or aggravated by his service-connected ligamentous strain of the right knee. The criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the ligamentous strain of the right knee have not been met.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a crush injury to both thighs is denied as there was no evidence linking the current knee problems to his in-service thigh injury.

The Board found that the reduction of the evaluation from 30 percent to 10 percent for postoperative anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction of the left knee was proper based on the findings at the February 1999 VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected hearing loss and left metatarsal bunionectomy with scar are rated at the minimum levels. The claim for a left knee disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or connection to service.

The veteran's case is being remanded for scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected right knee disability, as there is no evidence of arthritis or other conditions that would warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable as a result of his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disabilities do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disorder is not related to his service-connected left knee disorder and denied the claim.

The veteran's left knee disorder, which includes instability and pain, is currently rated at 30 percent disabling. The RO has granted the maximum disability rating provided under Diagnostic Code 5257 for status post meniscectomy of the left knee with marked instability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her claims, including obtaining evidence and records related to her service-connected left foot disability.

The veteran's conditions, including his heart disease, cataracts, anxiety and fatigue, knee problems, gastrointestinal bleeding, and COPD, do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability evaluation for internal derangement of the right knee, effective April 14, 1999.

The Board found that the competent and probative medical evidence did not demonstrate a chronic left knee disorder present in service or related to service. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection of several disorders, including a right shoulder disorder and neck disorder, was granted by the RO on January 2, 2001. The Board denied an earlier effective date due to lack of evidence supporting such a request.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including above-the-knee amputation of the left leg and related heart conditions, so affect his ability to walk without assistive devices as to qualify him for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right and left knee disabilities originated during active duty, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected postoperative meniscectomy, left knee is rated appropriately at 10 percent and his service-connected left knee arthritis is also rated appropriately at 10 percent.