Knee decisions — 2003

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and lumbar strain, but denied the claims for left knee disorder, dysthymic disorder, headaches, and costochondritis.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of arthritis or other conditions warranting a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected knee, foot, and low back disabilities. The veteran did not have a currently diagnosed bilateral elbow disability, cervical spine disability, heart condition, or left-sided paralysis as a residual of a stroke.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The only granted claim was for hemorrhoids.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral ankle disorder and degenerative changes of the right knee are not service-connected, as there is no evidence showing a direct link to his service-connected residuals of plantar warts and calluses. The appeals have been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee warrants a rating of 20 percent, which is higher than the initial 10 percent assigned by the RO. The veteran's symptoms include limitation of motion, increased pain, swelling, and instability.

The Board granted an increased initial disability rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, effective October 1, 2002.

The veteran's claims are being remanded to the RO for consideration of new evidence and further readjudication.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of April 20, 1994 for the grant of pension benefits. The appellant's claims were previously denied in May 1986 and he submitted a new claim on April 20, 1994.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and a compensable rating for degenerative changes of the right ankle were denied. The claim for service connection for a left knee injury was not adjudicated as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for compliance with the Veterans' Claims Assistance Act of 2000, including proper notification and development of evidence. The issues include service connection for right knee disorder, low back strain (secondary to left knee disability), and increased ratings for left knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a back disorder secondary to his service-connected right knee disability and an increased rating for his right knee disabilities. The VA found no evidence that the back disorder was caused or aggravated by the right knee disability.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's request for increased ratings for residuals of fractured left tibia and fibula, as well as status post left knee replacement, was denied.,Effective from January 1995, the disability rating for residuals of fractured left tibia and fibula is 30 percent. Effective from January 2001, the disability rating for status post left knee replacement is 60 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and for effective dates earlier than June 26, 1996 for his ratings of residuals of a fractured nose and degenerative joint disease of the right knee.,Service connection was not granted because there is no medical evidence linking the current disabilities to service. The RO denied reopening the claim for low back disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claims for service connection for postoperative residuals of colon cancer and left knee disability were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim that his colon cancer was related to environmental factors or exposure during service, nor did it find any basis for a compensable rating for his left knee condition.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for arthritis of the right hip and right knee, as well as a right ankle disability and a disability of the right Achilles tendon. The evidence does not support the presence of these conditions during or after active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee symptoms are not related to his service-connected left knee disability and have denied both claims for increased rating and temporary total disability based on convalescence following surgery.

The Board has determined that further development of the evidence is needed to determine if the appellant's joint pain and degenerative joint disease are related to her military service.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's right knee disorder, currently rated at 40 percent. The evidence showed pain and limited motion but no new or material evidence was provided to reopen the claim of service connection.