Knee decisions — 2002

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for left knee retropatellar pain syndrome was denied because he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations and increased ratings for his right knee disabilities were denied. The current ratings are considered appropriate based on the medical evidence of record.

The veteran's claims for various conditions were denied by the RO. The Board found that none of these conditions are related to service, and some may be secondary to asbestos exposure.

The veteran's claim for TDIU was granted effective December 30, 1999. The Board found that the earliest date on which it was factually ascertainable that there had been an increase in his combined disabilities to 70 percent was December 30, 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed back and knee disorders are not related to his military service, and therefore denied his claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, characterized as residuals of a meniscectomy and degenerative joint disease, warrants a 20 percent rating for the former condition and a separate 10 percent rating for the latter. The veteran is not entitled to higher ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5257 or 5260/5261.

The veteran's avascular necrosis of the right hip was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor is it proximately due to a service-connected disability.,Prior to December 1, 1999, the veteran's postoperative residuals of anterior cruciate ligament repair of the right knee were productive of severe impairment with range of motion from 20 to 90 degrees and a 20-degree flexion contracture. The current evaluation in excess of 30 percent for this condition is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for higher evaluations for his left knee disorder, finding that it is no more than 30 percent disabling based on instability and arthritis with limitation of motion.

The VA denied increased ratings for postoperative left knee ligaments and left knee arthritis, both rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and service connection for migraine headaches were denied. The left knee disorder is characterized by range of motion from zero to 115 degrees, without instability or other significant impairment. Right knee chondromalacia does not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation. Mechanical low back pain is not productive of lumbosacral strain with specific symptoms. Sinusitis is not moderate and does not result in incapacitating episodes requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment. Migraine headaches are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability was not incurred or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board found no evidence of a low back or right knee disability in service, and denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's current right knee disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an increased rating, maintaining his current disability rating of 20 percent for his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease but granted a 20 percent evaluation for the residuals of a gunshot wound to the left knee.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the March 1993 final rating decision is not new and material, thus preventing the reopening of the veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee and cervical spine disorders were not related to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has granted compensable ratings of 10 percent for scar, residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right knee and chondromalacia and residuals of a shell fragment wound to the left knee.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, finding that his current knee conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active service and are unrelated to disease or injury in service.