Knee decisions — 2002

The Board denied an initial disability evaluation higher than 10 percent for a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament of the left knee with patellofemoral syndrome, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other criteria.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on instability or other complications.

The veteran's cervical spine arthritis is rated at 10 percent.,Separate ratings of 10 percent each are assigned for the left shoulder, right hip, and left knee. The lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent.,A 10 percent rating is granted for the left hip from March 15, 1996 to December 11, 1996.,The veteran's right hip is rated at 20 percent effective from March 15, 1996.,For the period from March 15, 1996 to January 31, 2000, separate ratings of 10 percent are assigned for arthritis and impairment in both knees. For the period from February 1, 2000 forward, a rating of 20 percent is assigned for arthritis.,The veteran's left knee has been rated at 10 percent since March 15, 1996.,For the period from March 15, 1996 to January 31, 2000, a rating of 10 percent is assigned for arthritis and impairment in both knees. For the period from February 1, 2000 forward, a rating of 20 percent is assigned for arthritis.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of his right and left knee conditions as secondary to his service-connected bilateral foot disability, finding no evidence that these conditions were caused or aggravated by his feet.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for joint pain/disability involving the right knee, right ankle, and elbows, to include as due to undiagnosed illness. The left knee was granted service connection based on a current disability related to an in-service injury.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of a Baker's cyst of the right knee due to withdrawal by the appellant. The claim for service connection of hypercholesterolemia, secondary to service-connected hypothyroidism, is denied as there is no current disability associated with hypercholesterolemia.

The Board determined that the veteran's left knee disability, manifested by pain and stiffness, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, postoperative left and right foot hammertoe deformities are each rated at 10 percent. The low back strain with herniated nucleus pulposus prior to July 18, 2000 is also rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected right knee replacement, finding that the residuals do not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent.

The VA has increased the rating for the veteran's right knee disability to 20 percent, effective from May 26, 1998. The current condition of the right knee is characterized by pain, slight limitation of motion, and advanced degenerative changes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and left knee disorder with arthritis, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the evidence supports an award of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, which is secondary to the veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The veteran seeks TDIU based on his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The RO should adjudicate claims for service connection for a knee disorder and right ankle instability secondary to the service-connected flat feet, as well as remand the TDIU claim.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability and found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for residuals of a left eye injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a left knee disability due to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran sustained multiple injuries as a result of an October 1998 motor vehicle accident, which occurred during his period of inactive duty for training. The medical evidence tends to show that these current right shoulder and right knee disorders were incurred as a result of this accident.

The Board has determined that the veteran's knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service and are not related to any inservice injuries. The VA examiner concluded that the current knee problems are more likely caused by the veteran's obesity.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee patellofemoral syndrome, but denied service connection for traumatic arthritis of the shoulders. The veteran's right knee condition is presumed to have arisen during active service, while his shoulder condition does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the left knee disability based on instability, and continues the 10 percent rating for the right knee disability.