Knee decisions — 2003

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's left knee disability, finding that a 20 percent evaluation was appropriate based on moderate instability and degenerative arthritis. A separate 10 percent rating was granted for degenerative joint disease in the left knee.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for the claimant's service-connected postoperative residuals of chondromalacia of the right knee with arthritis, effective from May 1, 2000, to December 4, 2000. The appeal is denied for a higher rating since February 1, 2002.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a right knee meniscectomy with ACL reconstruction and degenerative joint disease as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes valgus with club feet residuals.

The VA denied a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected left total knee replacement.

The RO denied increased evaluations for the veteran's right and left knee disabilities, currently rated at 10 percent each.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability is service-connected, as it is at least as likely as not caused by an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a left knee injury warrant a 20 percent rating, effective as of the date of this decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his claimed disabilities and his military service.

The veteran is currently shown to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities and the Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's post medial meniscectomy of the right knee with ligamentous strain, which is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The VA has assigned a 20 percent rating for the service-connected right knee disability, effective from November 1983.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bursitis of the left knee and arthritis with flexion contracture were denied as his conditions did not warrant a higher evaluation under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent, and the temporary total rating for convalescence beyond February 28, 1997 has been granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder, which was previously denied in January 1985.

The RO granted service connection for chondromalacia of the right and left knees, but assigned noncompensable ratings. The veteran appealed these determinations.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee medial meniscus tear was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability, characterized by pain and limited motion, does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The RO has assigned a 10 percent rating for the veteran's right and left knee disabilities, which are diagnosed as mild degenerative joint disease. The medical evidence does not support an increase in these ratings.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for seborrheic eczema, effective from the date of the initial claim in March 1994.

The veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities have been rated as 20 percent disabling. The claim for an increased evaluation has been granted, and the initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for degenerative changes prior to July 12, 2001, and in excess of 20 percent for laxity and instability after that date have also been granted.