Knee decisions — 2003

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders, eye problems, back issues, knee disabilities, hypertension, and a cerebrovascular accident. The decision also addressed bilateral pes planus and seizure disorder.

The veteran's service-connected right knee condition is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling, and his service-connected low back disability (spondylolisthesis) is currently evaluated as 40 percent disabling. Both conditions have been granted increased ratings.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to schedule a video hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome is a result of his military service and grants service connection for this condition. The issues of bilateral hearing loss, arthritis of the hands, and arthritis of the knees will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Board finds that the veteran's low back disorder is not related to his service-connected left knee disorder, and denies the claim for increased evaluation of the left knee. The rating assigned for the left knee remains at 20 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a broken nose, bilateral knee disorder (including swollen joints), and hand and elbow disorder (including swollen joints). The cervical spine disorder claim is also denied. New and material evidence was not submitted to reopen any of these claims.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities have been granted, with a separate 10 percent rating assigned for each knee.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 10% for the veteran's right knee disability, which includes both instability and arthritis with limitation of motion.

The veteran's appeal is to have his disability rating for his right knee injury increased. The case has been remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has ordered further development due to incomplete records from the veteran's incarceration period. The case will be returned for additional review and possible remand if benefits are not granted.

The VA has determined that the veteran's left knee condition, post partial medial meniscectomy with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and semitendinosus graft, warrants a 10 percent evaluation from March 18, 1997 to May 18, 2000. The claim for higher evaluations is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, rated at 10 percent, is not more severe than currently assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his postoperative residuals of the right knee, currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic right hip disorder and hearing loss of the right ear, but granted an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for chondromalacia patella of each knee effective from April 1992.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease, bilateral knees is related to service and grants service connection for this condition. The issue of increased evaluation for low back strain remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, including osteoarthritis, is as likely as not related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his left knee disability, which includes a status post left knee injury and osteoarthritis, is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her left knee disability and migraine headaches, finding that the evidence did not support ratings higher than 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he did not meet the criteria for either condition.