Knee decisions — 2002

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right knee, right ankle, and bilateral plantar fasciitis disabilities. The RO found that these conditions did not warrant higher ratings based on current symptomatology.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance because the Chief Medical Director certified that the knee brace did not cause his clothing to wear out or tear.

The Board found that the initial 10% evaluation assigned following the grant of service connection for right knee meniscus tear was proper and did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's right knee disability is due to an injury sustained during service and the Board finds that it meets the criteria for service connection.

The VA determined that the veteran's left knee injury does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on limitation of motion or any other applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The hearing loss in the right ear was not shown in service or within a year thereafter, while left ear hearing loss is currently rated as non-compensable. The left knee disability does not warrant an increase beyond the current 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities more nearly approximate the criteria for a 30 percent rating, which is granted.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities, finding that they did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The veteran's service-connected right knee strain and shin splints have been granted, with a 10 percent rating effective October 30, 2002.

The veteran's service-connected arthritis of the right knee, lumbar spine, right elbow, and left elbow are all rated at 20 percent each.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left knee and low back conditions, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any diagnosed conditions related to his service in the Gulf War Theater, and thus cannot establish service connection for shortness of breath, fatigue, elbow pain, hip pain, back pain, or knee pain as due to undiagnosed illness.

The Board found that the veteran's current left knee and left foot conditions are not related to his October 1992 fall at a VA hospital, and therefore denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for these disabilities.

The Board is considering multiple claims, including increased rating for a right knee injury and service connection for various conditions. The decision on each claim will be determined based on the evidence presented.

The Board finds that the veteran's right knee disability was not incurred during active service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 10% for the veteran's left knee disability, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected left knee disorder, effective from January 1996. The claim for a temporary total evaluation due to convalescence following surgery is denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected left knee disorder was denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right knee disability and ano fissure, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine from November 13, 2001. The veteran's other knee conditions and low back disability are rated at their current levels.