Knee decisions — 2002

The RO denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability in August 1955, and no new and material evidence has been submitted since then.

The VA determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities are denied, as there is no evidence of a claim for service connection prior to January 12, 1999.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's left arm nerve disability and superficial scar above his left knee, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of the current 40 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee DJD with chondrocalcinosis and meniscus tear warrants a 20 percent disability rating, effective from the date of his claim. The issue regarding right knee laxity is not addressed as it does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right knee disability and denied his claim for service connection. The psychiatric disability claim is pending as it requires further development.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a shell fragment to the left knee, with patellectomy do not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 20 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back and right knee disorders were not incurred or aggravated during service, and arthritis of these conditions was not manifest within a year after separation from service. The claims are therefore denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's left knee disability, characterized by degenerative traumatic arthritis and laxity, warranted a 30 percent evaluation following prosthetic replacement of the knee joint. The veteran appealed for an increased evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claims, finding no new and material evidence. The RO confirmed the noncompensable rating for his right knee dislocation based on DC 5257.

Service connection is denied for the claimed conditions. Increased ratings are not granted for any of the disabilities listed.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities of recurrent lumbar strain, right knee status post arthrotomy with internal derangement, and arthritis of the right knee.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder and bilateral leg disorder. The claim for pes planus with degenerative joint disease of the right foot remains pending.

The veteran's service-connected pyloric channel ulcer, status post vagotomy and pyloroplasty is currently rated at 40 percent disabling. The left knee replacement disability is rated at 30 percent disabling as of December 17, 2000. The left knee arthritis is rated at 10 percent disabling.

The VA has determined that the veteran's left knee disability, which includes ACL reconstruction and mild degenerative joint disease, warrants a 30 percent evaluation. The current rating is denied as there are no additional disabilities based on functional loss or other factors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee chondromalacia warrants a rating of 20 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The evidence shows significant tenderness and limited range of motion in the knee.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination if necessary. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on all evidence of record.

The veteran's bilateral knee and ankle disorders were granted service connection, while his low back disorder was denied an increased rating.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records and determine if new evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection of a left knee disorder. The veteran's current left knee condition may be related to his service or a previously service-connected disability.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his left knee disability, currently rated at 30 percent. The evidence did not support a higher rating based on instability or limitation of motion.