Knee decisions — 2002

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date were denied. The Board found that the veteran did not have a valid claim to an earlier effective date due to his renouncement of compensation benefits in 1980, and that he was entitled to the current 10 percent evaluations based on the symptoms reported.

The VA determined that the veteran's residuals of a left knee injury do not warrant an increased disability rating, as they are currently evaluated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability is being remanded to the RO for additional development.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims of service connection for low back and bilateral knee disabilities, as there is no official verification of his claimed period of active duty for training in April 1982 or any documentation of such injuries. The claim was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, finding that there was no evidence of recurrent instability or limitation of motion warranting a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder. Service connection was denied for a heart disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, which includes a reconstructed anterior cruciate ligament, is manifested by moderate functional impairment and does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking them to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for restoration of service connection for left ear hearing loss, increased evaluation for right ear hearing loss, propriety of initial 30% evaluation for right hand weakness, evaluation for right knee hyperextension with instability and arthralgia, and increased rating for right leg incoordination (femoral nerve paralysis). The veteran's claims were not granted as the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 40 percent for each knee disability, finding that the veteran's bilateral knee disabilities meet the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5262 and a 10 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5003.

The Board granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the service-connected left knee traumatic arthritis, effective from February 22, 2001. The veteran's right ear hearing loss was not rated as compensable.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected status post left total knee replacement warrants a 60 percent disability evaluation, which is higher than the current rating of 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left knee disorder, left hand disorder, left hip disorder, and low back disorder. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to active service.

The veteran's service-connected right knee disability has been rated at 30 percent since September 1, 1998.

The Board finds that the veteran's current right knee and shin splints conditions are not service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or chronicity.

The Board found no right knee disability and denied service connection for the veteran's right knee. The initial rating of 10 percent for residuals of a sternum fracture was upheld.

The Board denied increased ratings for low back strain and left knee sprain, finding that the veteran's conditions did not warrant a higher rating based on his current symptoms.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support evaluations greater than the current 10 percent ratings.

The veteran's post-operative degenerative joint disease of the left knee is currently rated at 20 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability. The claim is denied.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation and service connection were denied. The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for an increased rating for his pes planus, and that he did not have valley fever with pulmonary obstructive disease or any other condition related to military service.