Knee decisions — 2002

The veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, with no higher rating possible under the applicable diagnostic codes. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding warranting an increased rating for either knee.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bronchitis and arthritis of the knees and spine, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions, including above-the-knee amputation of the right lower extremity and coronary artery bypass graft with hypertension, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The combined disability rating is 80 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and for reopening his claim for service connection for a dental condition, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between any current disabilities and service.

The VA determined that the veteran's postoperative residuals, right knee with arthritis do not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and arthritis of the left ankle, but granted an initial compensable evaluation (10%) for residuals of a left ankle sprain.,There is no evidence linking the veteran's current right knee or left ankle conditions to his military service.

The veteran's right knee disability is rated at 40 percent, but he seeks a higher rating.,He also seeks an earlier effective date for the 60 percent rating of his low back disability and total unemployability rating.

The Board denied an increase in a 20 percent rating for the veteran's residuals of a right knee injury, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right hip condition, including arthritis, or left femur and left knee conditions that arose as a result of service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the veteran's left knee disability, which combines his existing 20 percent rating for sprain and a separate 10 percent rating for arthritis. The decision is based on severe weakness, incoordination, fatigability, and instability of the knee joint.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for secondary service connection for neuropathy of the left lower extremity, an increased rating for PTSD, and an increased evaluation for right below knee amputation. The claim for an increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain was not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied service connection for the left varicocele, arthritis of the knees, and sinusitis. The veteran's claim for a left varicocele was reopened based on new evidence but still denied due to lack of aggravation in service.

The Board has granted a compensable evaluation of 10 percent for left knee retropatellar arthralgia from July 27, 1999. The issue regarding the initial claim for left shoulder arthralgia is pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, characterized by pain, stiffness, swelling, and locking, warrants a rating of 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 5258 for dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of 'locking,' pain, and effusion into the joint. The maximum available rating under this code is 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the knees and right ankle, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's right and left knee disabilities do not warrant initial ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The claim for increased evaluation of Achilles tendonitis was granted, with a rating of 10%. No new or material evidence was submitted to reopen the claims for residuals of back injury and gastrointestinal disorder.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right and left knee DJD with history of Osgood-Schlatter's disease and meniscus tears, as the evidence does not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and left knee disability due to a lack of competent medical evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a distal left femur fracture with degenerative joint disease do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent, as there is no evidence of limitation of motion or instability.