Knee decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran's vasectomy did not result in any residual disabilities and denied service connection for it. For his left knee disability, the Board granted a separate initial rating of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a currently diagnosed right knee disorder and therefore, service connection for residuals of a right knee injury is denied.

The veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome is manifested by limited extension to 15 degrees, which meets the criteria for a 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, left knee arthritis, and right hip disorder do not warrant increased evaluations beyond the current ratings of 40%, 10%, and 10% respectively.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right (major) shoulder, status post dislocation. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bronchitis, concussion, and bilateral knee and leg disabilities will be addressed separately.

The veteran's total left knee arthroplasty is rated at 100% effective from November 23, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back, neck, and knee disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The bipolar disorder is currently rated at 50 percent.

The Board has determined that there is sufficient evidence to grant service connection for the veteran's lung disability, but the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder was denied. The veteran needs to be provided with a Statement of the Case regarding his left knee disorder.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine and right hand disabilities were incurred during his period of active service, while his right elbow disability was not. The right knee disability is considered a current condition unrelated to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his knee conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition as secondary to PTSD and for a total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's right knee disability, characterized by chondromalacia and degenerative arthritis, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on instability or subluxation, but noted x-ray findings of degenerative changes which warrant a separate rating under Diagnostic Code 5260.

The veteran has been shown to have a chronic disability (due to undiagnosed illness) manifested by signs and symptoms involving muscle and joint pain of both knees, which appears to be related to service. Service connection for an undiagnosed illness is granted.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee injury and PTSD due to lack of credible evidence supporting the veteran's claims.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including GSWs to both legs and left thigh, heart disorder, lung disorder, kidney disorder, back disorder, hearing loss, foot disorder, and knee disorder. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for arthritis of the right knee and continues the noncompensable evaluation for the right knee scar.

The veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities have been evaluated based on their current symptoms, which do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, and thus denied his claim. The veteran also failed to establish entitlement to vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31 due to lack of service-connected disability rated at least 20 percent disabling.