Knee decisions — 2002

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed disabilities, including right knee disability, left knee disability, back disability, right ankle disability, memory loss, and disabling residuals due to use of medication.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders, as well as his claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for anxiety reaction with PTSD. The Board found that the veteran's current knee disorders are not related to his period of active service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, hands, vision, or ankylosis of knees or hips. Therefore, he does not meet the basic criteria for a grant for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The VA determined that the veteran's right knee impairment, postoperative does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disability, which includes chondromalacia and arthritis, is manifested by pain, crepitus, and arthritis without instability. The RO assigned a 10 percent evaluation for this condition based on limitation of motion.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his right knee disorder, currently rated at 10 percent. The evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board granted separate 10% evaluations for the veteran's status post residuals of right and left knee injuries effective June 14, 1994.

The Board has determined that the veteran's patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee does not warrant a compensable evaluation from April 5, 1995 to October 3, 1995. From October 4, 1995 to April 6, 1997, the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent have not been met. After April 6, 1997, the criteria for a compensable evaluation have not been met.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and a skin condition of the right foot, and granted these claims. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The veteran's left knee disability, which includes post-operative resection of the medial plica and partial meniscectomy, is currently rated at 30 percent. The September 2001 VA examination revealed severe instability and limited motion, warranting a higher 60 percent rating.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 30 percent for internal derangement of the right knee and a separate 10 percent rating for arthritis of the right knee, effective from June 19, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, postoperative residuals of a posterior cruciate ligament tear, warrants an increased rating to 30 percent from May 1997.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered together, are severe enough to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the right and left knees, bilateral pes planus, lung disability, right and left ankle disabilities, lipoma of the left arm and cyst/boil of the neck (claimed as secondary to radiation exposure), right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, and right and left wrist disabilities. The claims were denied on the basis that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left knee and back disorders are not related to his service-connected right knee disability, and therefore denied both claims for secondary service connection.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chondromalacia of both knees was incurred during active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for a brain aneurysm, left knee, bilateral shoulder, and spine disabilities. The right knee disability was not granted an increased rating.