Knee decisions — 2002

The veteran's left knee subluxation and status post lateral release, traumatic arthritis, and post-operative scar are all rated at the maximum schedular rating. Service connection for right knee arthritis and lumbosacral pain is granted.

The Board denied a higher rating for the service-connected subluxation of the right knee, finding that the evidence did not show more than slight impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of the left knee and finds no causal relationship between his service-connected right knee injury and his claimed left knee condition. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right hip, low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his low back disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for lumbosacral strain and left knee disability were denied as there is no indication of service connection issues related to exposure or other presumptive conditions.

The veteran is granted a 30 percent evaluation for his service-connected right knee disorder effective April 5, 2001. He was previously awarded noncompensable evaluations from December 5, 1997, to August 28, 1999, and 10 percent evaluations from August 28, 1999, until January 1, 2000.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disorder is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and amputations of both legs, meet the criteria for SMC at a level of 50%.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's left knee injury with chondromalacia of the patella and compression fracture, L2, with degenerative joint disease.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability is not caused or worsened by his service-connected right knee disability, and thus denied his claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a traveling Member of the Board and providing appropriate notice.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip, low back, and left knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for residuals of left ankle sprain, joint pain (unspecified), right knee pain, and residuals of a right hand injury.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a rating of 30 percent, effective from January 1 to January 22, 1996. The veteran's Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the right knee is rated at 10 percent. Service connection for drug abuse as secondary to PTSD has been denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left knee disability was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran no longer wishes to pursue his claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss. The Board also finds that there is insufficient evidence to establish a current disability related to bilateral knee pain and effusion during service, and thus denies the claim.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the service-connected residuals of a medial meniscectomy of the right knee and has determined that the veteran's low back pain is aggravated by his service-connected right knee condition.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of neck, back, right shoulder, left shoulder or right knee disabilities and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected ligament laxity of the left knee, right knee with degenerative changes, and right ankle instability. The veteran is also entitled to a rating in excess of 30 percent for his major depressive disorder and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.