Knee decisions — 2002

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disability and headaches due to exposure to Agent Orange, as well as his attempt to reopen his claim for service connection for headaches. The RO found that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or exposure to Agent Orange, and that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the headache claim.

The Board denied increased ratings for residuals of fractures of the left radius and ulna, residuals of a left knee injury, and residuals of a low back injury. The veteran's claims were not granted as there was no evidence to support higher ratings based on current clinical findings.

The veteran's initial ratings for service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and postoperative residuals of right-knee plica debridement were denied by the RO, with higher initial ratings assigned following additional evidence.

The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for internal derangement of the left knee and assigned separate ratings for arthritis and removal of semilunar cartilage. The effective date remains August 20, 1992.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and an increased evaluation for tender scar of the right thigh, finding no evidence of a nexus between current symptoms and service.

The VA determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate due to his disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic left knee disorder and generalized arthritis, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for low back and bilateral knee disorders due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred during active service or are otherwise related to military service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability on a direct basis due to new and material evidence. However, arthritis of the shoulders, knees, and feet is not found to be related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for his left knee condition and service connection for Pityrosporum folliculitis, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The VA denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee condition, finding that there is no evidence of any current disability related to his military service.

The VA denied a higher rating for the veteran's left knee chondromalacia with patellofemoral degenerative changes, assigning only a 10% initial rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation for his right knee and left hip conditions have been denied. His current service-connected condition of postoperative residuals of left knee arthrotomy is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee and ankle disorders, but denied service connection for bronchitis. The veteran's left knee and ankle issues are considered new and material evidence since the 1995 denial.

The Board found that the appellant's current left knee disability, manifested by post-operative medial meniscus removal and early degenerative changes, is due to an injury incurred during his period of active duty for training. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right foot and right knee disabilities, finding that they do not warrant a higher rating based on current medical evidence.

The Board has granted a 20% rating for the service-connected left knee disability and a 10% rating for the service-connected right knee disability, effective from July 8, 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that there was no evidence linking any current knee disability to his period of active military service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the service-connected post-traumatic degenerative arthrosis of the left knee and set an effective date of June 30, 2001.

The Board finds that the schedular criteria for a higher rating than 20 percent for the service-connected left knee disability prior to May 22, 2002, have not been met.