Knee decisions — 2003

The Board found no evidence of a current left knee disability related to service, including arthritis that was present within one year of separation from active duty. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of reopening his right knee disability due to lack of new and material evidence, despite some additional medical records and lay statements.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of right knee, ankle, or wrist disorders, and the veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection under applicable laws.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected right and left knee chondromalacia disabilities, finding that the most probative medical evidence did not show any additional functional loss or limitation of motion beyond what was already established.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for traumatic arthritis of the left knee, finding that there is no current medical diagnosis of this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disabilities do not warrant a higher evaluation, as they are currently rated at 30 percent for osteochondromatosis with synovitis and 10 percent each for postoperative residuals of meniscectomies and arthroscopic debridement. The instability is also rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected left knee disorder, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of the current 10 percent evaluations.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected chondromalacia of the left knee, effective from March 30, 1989.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his left leg disability was denied, as the residuals do not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The TDIU claim was also denied due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee disorder, characterized as a chronic tear of the left anterior cruciate ligament, is related to an injury sustained during service and thus warrants service connection.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence or clarification. The case is now being returned to the RO for review and potential remand.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a leg injury other than healed abrasions and for an increased evaluation for healed abrasions of both legs, finding that there was no evidence linking his current disabilities to his military service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his current hearing loss and right knee condition, which are presumed to be related to service.

The veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, and his left knee condition received a higher rating. Service connection for other conditions like stomach disorders, joint pain, headaches, dizziness, sleep disorder, impotence, breathing problems, and posttraumatic stress disorder were also granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected cervical spine and bilateral knee disabilities do not warrant an increased rating as there is no evidence of more than slight impairment in motion or arthritis.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between any current knee disorder and his military service.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected right knee disability, which is characterized as moderate impairment.

The veteran's left knee and right ankle disabilities have been granted initial evaluations, with the left knee receiving a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disorder is not related to his service-connected bilateral knee disability and therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for a back disability as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee arthritis is as likely as not related to an in-service motor vehicle accident, and thus grants service connection for this condition.