Knee decisions — 2002

The veteran's right knee disability, characterized by post medial meniscectomy with osteoarthritis and chondromalacia of the patella, is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5259. The maximum rating available for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that new evidence does not establish a nexus to service and that there is no competent post-service evidence of current disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of shell fragment wound to the right thigh do not warrant a compensable rating, and his service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left knee with retained foreign body does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the appellant's right knee disorder existed prior to his entry into active duty and did not undergo a chronic increase in severity beyond normal progression during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that her current condition did not begin during or as a result of her military service.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his post-operative meniscectomy of the left knee, currently rated at 30 percent.

The veteran's right below-knee amputation was determined to be the direct result of his pre-existing medical conditions, not due to negligence or accidents during treatment. The Board found that the additional disability resulting from VA medical treatment is compensable.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder, diagnosed as torn lateral meniscus, a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament and degenerative arthritis, was incurred in service. The claim is granted.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected right knee disability warranted a separate evaluation of 30 percent for instability and chondromalacia, resulting in an overall rating of 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's spouse's claim for special monthly pension based on a need for regular aid and attendance or due to being housebound, finding that she did not meet the criteria as her disabilities do not require regular aid and assistance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a left knee condition, finding no new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations for his back and left knee disabilities, and determined that any bone spurs and arthritis of the left foot were not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected back and left knee disabilities.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for PTSD, a low back condition, a right knee disability, and tinnitus as there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disorder is a result of his service and granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and evaluations for his right knee disability, arthritis of the right knee, and low back disabilities due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including residuals of a shell fragment wound to the back, right knee disability, residuals of a shell fragment wound to the left hip, and residuals of a shell fragment wound to the left hand, are not service-connected. The decision also found that trochanter bursitis of the left hip is related to military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to be unable to care for himself or protect himself from the dangers or hazards incident to his daily environment, and he is not substantially confined to his dwelling and premises due to service-connected disabilities. Therefore, special monthly compensation based on the need of regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound has been denied.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise such that a grant of service connection for a left knee disability, including degenerative joint disease, as secondary to the veteran's service-connected right knee disability is warranted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral spine disorder, left knee arthritis, left hip arthritis, and left ankle arthritis.

The Board found no evidence of any shoulder or knee injury in service and concluded that the veteran's current arthritis is not related to his military service.