Knee decisions — 2002

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, shortening of the lower extremity, arthritis of the thoracic spine (claimed as secondary to a service-connected shell fragment wound), and degenerative changes of the knees bilaterally (also claimed as secondary to a service-connected shell fragment wound). The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or any in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his postoperative patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee and residuals of a fracture of the right tibia, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability, characterized by significant osteoarthritis and pain, warrants a 30 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The RO granted a temporary 100 percent convalescent rating for the service-connected left knee disability, effective on September 10, 1996 through October 1996. The veteran continues his appeal for higher ratings for both the left knee and low back disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's increased evaluation claims for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the schedular criteria did not meet the requirements for a higher rating.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left knee conditions, finding that the current ratings of 10 percent are appropriate.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities of the right shoulder, right ankle, right knee, or left knee. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a jaw fracture and right knee disorder, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims. The veteran's claim for residuals of a right leg fracture is also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of fractures of the second and third toes of the right foot, a nucleated lesion of the right foot, and residuals of a right knee injury were denied as not well grounded. The RO has now reconsidered these issues and again denied them.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for the veteran's right knee condition, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent. The condition is currently rated as internal derangement with slight instability and limited flexion.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right knee disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability for any claimed conditions and the veteran's claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death, and therefore denied service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left knee injury and hepatitis C, but granted service connection for residuals of an avulsion fracture of the left cuboid bone. The initial disability rating for residuals of a left ankle injury was increased to 10 percent.

The Board found no objective evidence of any left knee disability and concluded that the veteran's subjective complaints did not establish a service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability due to aggravation during active duty, but denied service connection for a low back disability and left hand injury residuals.

The veteran's TDIU benefits were granted effective from September 1990, but the Board has determined that an earlier effective date of August 1, 1990 is warranted due to his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for the veteran's postoperative residuals of a right knee sprain with anterior cruciate ligament deficiency and meniscal tears. A separate 10 percent rating is assigned for degenerative arthritis. The temporary total rating based on convalescence beyond September 30, 1993, has also been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's right ankle and right knee disorders, with a rating of 100% effective from the date of the decision.

The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for migraine headaches and a 10 percent evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, effective April 4, 1990.