Knee decisions — 2002

The veteran's right hand disability has been rated as 50 percent disabling based on incomplete paralysis of the median nerve. The rating is granted.,The veteran's right ankle disability was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a greater than 20 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not meet the criteria to reopen claims for service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, and anxiety disorder. The veteran's claims remain denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for left knee and lumbar spine disorders, but granted service connection for cervical spine disorder. The decision did not address whether the current conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent for internal derangement of the left knee with instability, and denied a separate evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative changes of the left knee with painful motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disorder is not due to an injury or disease incurred in service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no causal connection between the veteran's osteomyelitis of the left heel and right knee, status post left above knee amputation, and his VA hospitalization. Therefore, the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee DJD is the result of military service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee injuries and osteoarthritis do not warrant an evaluation in excess of the current ratings, while his hypopigmentation does not meet criteria for a separate rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or special home adaptations due to his current functional status and lack of blindness, anatomical loss or use of both hands.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for the veteran's left total knee replacement residuals, finding that his symptoms most closely approximate the criteria for such an evaluation.

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

The veteran's claim for TDIU benefits prior to March 1, 1998 was denied as he did not meet the requirements for a TDIU rating prior to that date.

The Board found that the veteran is not entitled to an effective date earlier than May 5, 1998, for a grant of service connection for his right knee disorder due to lack of prior written claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 as his right knee injury was not caused by VA medical care, but rather an intervening cause (the falling ceiling grate).

The Board finds that the veteran's right knee disorder is aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition. However, there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for his low back disorder.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with the highest rating of 20% assigned for cervical strain.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected osteochondritis dissecans of the right knee and chronic low back pain, finding that a rating in excess of 60 percent was not warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee disorder and muscle hernia, right biceps, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The veteran's claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic left knee condition during service and insufficient medical evidence to link the current disability to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right scapulocostal syndrome, chronic cervical strain, bilateral knee conditions, and right ankle sprain with ligament laxity were denied. The RO assigned a 10 percent rating to each condition effective from January 11, 1996.