Knee decisions — 2002

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his chondromalacia of the left knee is denied as there is no evidence showing that the condition meets or approximates the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's total left knee arthroplasty was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection. The evaluation for chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes remains at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee impairment warrants a 30 percent rating, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran.

The Board granted a higher rating for the veteran's right knee disability but denied his request for an increased evaluation of his left knee disability.

The veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and meniscectomy, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that a separate evaluation for degenerative joint disease is warranted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted sufficient to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability. The veteran's knee disability was previously denied due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for myofascial lumbar pain syndrome and denied the claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of synovitis of both knees.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected right total knee arthroplasty, currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has granted a higher evaluation for bilateral pes planus and reopened the previously denied claims for service connection of back disorder and bilateral knee disorders, both secondary to bilateral pes planus. However, it was determined that brain damage is not related to service.

The veteran's postoperative residuals of a left knee injury with anterior cruciate ligament tear are rated at 30 percent, and he is granted a separate 10 percent rating for arthritis. The RO found that the veteran's symptoms more closely approximate the criteria for these ratings.

The Board granted restoration of the 20 percent evaluation for a left knee disability and remanded the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for further development.

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder, resulting in a denial.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of a left knee injury due to lack of evidence showing a chronic disability in service and no current diagnosis related to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, including his meniscectomy and ligament tear, warrants a 20 percent evaluation. Additionally, it has granted a separate 10 percent rating for degenerative arthritis with painful motion in the right knee.

The Board denied a rating in excess of the current 10 percent for exostosis of the left medial condyle above the knee, finding that the evidence did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board granted service connection and assigned noncompensable evaluations for left knee strain, right hip strain, and residuals of a right knee injury with ACL reconstruction. The veteran's claims were denied for entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the right knee injury.

The Board has granted service connection for upper and lower back disorders, finding that the veteran's inservice injury may have contributed to his current conditions. The right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent due to moderate impairment of motion.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, back injury residuals, left wrist injury residuals, and left index finger injury residuals. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred in or are related to service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee and right knee disabilities, as well as his secondary service connection claims for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and right ankle. The appellant was granted a temporary 100% evaluation for his total knee arthroplasty.