Knee decisions — 2002

The veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the claims for accrued benefits were denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected right knee disorder, finding that the current evaluation of 10 percent is appropriate given the lack of evidence of instability or significant limitation in range of motion.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's right knee conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on instability or chondrocalcinosis.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and residuals of injury to the left knee, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis secondary to right knee arthritis, and peptic ulcer disease secondary to medications taken for right knee arthritis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right knee disability, including arthritis, is related to traumas which occurred during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for arthritis of the right knee and subluxation/instability of the right knee, finding that his conditions did not warrant ratings higher than 10 percent.

The veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease is rated at 10 percent disabling, and his laceration of the right little finger status post flexor digitorum profundus repair (major) does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation, service connection, and temporary total evaluations were denied. The RO found that the right knee condition did not warrant an increase beyond 20 percent, there was no evidence of a nexus between the postoperative rupture of the patellar tendon and the service-connected Osgood-Shlatter's disease, and the criteria for extending a temporary total evaluation were not met.

The Board has determined that the December 1988 rating decision granting service connection for degenerative joint disease of the bilateral hips and knees was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that new and material evidence was not presented to reopen these claims.

The Board has granted a 10 percent initial rating for degenerative arthritis of both knees, wrists and hands.

The VA has determined that the veteran's current 30 percent rating for his service-connected left knee disability is appropriate based on the severity of his symptoms and functional limitations. The evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not affect his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for current right and left knee disabilities manifested by patellofemoral syndrome, finding that the veteran's complaints of knee pain since service are likely due to injuries sustained during active duty.

The Board found that the veteran has abandoned his claims due to non-cooperation and failure to respond to VA's efforts, including a Travel Board hearing.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities, as well as his residual stab wound scar in the area of the left kidney and lumbosacral strain. The RO subsequently granted these claims with no percent ratings effective from June 1996.

The Board has determined that the veteran's patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee was incurred in service and granted service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders based on new evidence submitted since the final denial in September 1996.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left knee disabilities, finding that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his symptoms.