Knee decisions — 2002

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disorder. However, there is no indication that the veteran has a current knee disability or any other condition related to his military service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding no evidence of such condition in service or within one year after service and no nexus between current chondrocalcinosis and degenerative joint disease of the knees and active service.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities. The left ring finger disability was also not rated as compensable.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and arranging for VA examinations. The issues of increased ratings for knee disabilities and service connection on a secondary basis for gastrointestinal disability remain on appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the knees, feet, shoulders, and wrists, finding no evidence that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an extension of a temporary total evaluation beyond March 1, 1999 based on surgery for his service-connected left knee disability. The evidence showed that the veteran was still experiencing pain and functional limitations after multiple surgeries in July 1998, but not to the extent that he required additional convalescence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected post-operative chondromalacia of both knees, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current disability levels.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current low back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, or ankle disorder. The medical evidence does not support service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's left ankle, left knee, and back disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor are they etiologically related to service.

The Board has determined that the reductions in ratings for deep vein thrombosis of the left leg and residuals of a left knee injury were not warranted, as there was insufficient evidence to support these reductions.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral knee disorder is related to steroid treatment for her service-connected cervical spinal disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, finding that the current manifestations of these conditions do not warrant higher evaluations.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board Hearing.

The Board has determined that there is no medical evidence of record showing the veteran has any of the claimed conditions, and thus service connection for gastritis, UTI, hearing loss, left knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, or lumbar spine disorder cannot be established.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in substantial and gainful employment compatible with his education and work experience, thus denying a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for service connection purposes associated with residuals of stress changes of the mid femurs, knees, or calcanei.

The veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current VA regulations. The Board found that his flexion was to 120 degrees and did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.