Knee decisions — 2003

The Board found that the December 10, 1985 rating decision denying service connection for a left knee disorder was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The evidence received since then did not meet the criteria to be considered new and material.

The veteran's postoperative residuals of hypermotility of the bilateral temporal mandibular joints are currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board finds service connection for fibromyalgia/myofascial pain syndrome secondary to his service-connected disability is warranted. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis of the knees were not shown in active service or within a year thereafter, and are not currently shown.

The Board has determined that the veteran's skin disorder and right knee disorder are not related to service, but the right knee disorder is found to be aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The veteran's left knee disability, including the old healed fracture and associated arthritis, warrants a 20 percent rating prior to April 3, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a TDIU rating due to his service-connected right knee disability, finding that it did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for a right elbow disorder and left knee arthritis, finding no evidence of current conditions related to active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee disability, diagnosed as gonarthrosis with chondrocalcinosis, is aggravated by his service-connected low back disability (HNP, status post laminectomy at L5-S1, left). As a result, the claim for secondary service connection for the knee disability is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee and a right knee disorder, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected residuals of a left ankle injury.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disorder and finds that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence, granting service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected left knee disorder, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and earlier effective dates for his service-connected right knee disabilities due to his failure to report for a VA examination, and because there was insufficient evidence of an intent to file for service connection prior to October 30, 2000.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a below-the-knee amputation of the left leg, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected shell fragment wound. The case has been remanded due to issues with notification and development under the VCAA.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left knee disability and for recognition of his son as a 'child' based on permanent incapacity for self-support before age 18. The veteran was awarded a 10 percent rating for his service-connected residuals of a meniscectomy of the left knee, but not for degenerative joint disease. His son's eligibility for VA benefits was denied due to lack of evidence.

The Board granted service connection for DVT with a 40 percent evaluation, effective February 27, 1998. The claim for service connection of the left knee disorder is referred to the RO for further development.

The veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, and his left knee disability is rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.,The veteran was denied entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for postoperative residuals of the right knee and residual effects of an injury to the left knee is being remanded due to compliance with VCAA requirements.

The veteran's right knee disability existed prior to service but underwent aggravation therein. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise with that against the claim, and thus grants service connection for right knee disability.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disorder, diagnosed as patellofemoral syndrome, was incurred during active service and granted service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting right knee disorder did not worsen during service and was due to the natural progression of the condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee and right hip disorders are not service-connected, as there is no medical evidence of current disabilities related to his active service or a service-connected left knee disorder.