Knee decisions — 2003

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected right knee injury and lumbar spine disorder, with a rating of 50% for each condition.

The veteran's cervical strain is rated at 30 percent, lumbosacral strain at 40 percent, and chronic synovitis of the left knee at 10 percent. The veteran also meets criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's right hip, right knee, and low back disorders are not related to his service-connected right foot disability. Therefore, secondary service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for status post arthroscopy for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, effective from the date of service connection. The veteran's arthritis of the right knee is rated as 10 percent disabling since February 24, 2000.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right hip, low back, and right knee conditions were granted. The current evaluations of 20 percent, 10 percent, and 10 percent for these conditions are maintained.

The veteran's claims for PTSD and a left knee disorder were denied. The VA found no evidence of service connection for these conditions, with the exception that his shrapnel fragment wound residuals did not meet criteria for increased evaluations.

The Board denied service connection for a left rib condition and a knee injury as there is no evidence of current disability or in-service injury.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral pes planus worsened during service and granted service connection for this condition. The other issues were not resolved in favor of the veteran.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension, right knee degenerative arthritis, and right leg disability are related to service. The veteran served in combat-related duties and experienced injuries during his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death. The medical complications surrounding his death were reasonably foreseeable at the time of his death.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder and remanded all issues due to procedural errors. The decision on the merits of these claims will be addressed after proper development.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence submitted since the previous final decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's knee disorders do not warrant evaluations in excess of the current ratings, as his symptoms are adequately addressed by the existing disability codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a knee condition and an earlier effective date for his headaches disability rating. The Board found no evidence of a chronic knee disorder during service or that it was caused by service, and concluded that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation for his headaches prior to January 22, 1997.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and left knee disabilities were denied. The RO granted a temporary total rating for the right knee, but denied both increased rating claims.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for arthritis of the right knee, status post total knee replacement due to new and material evidence submitted since the July 2000 rating decision.

The veteran's increased rating claim for his left knee disability is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating than 20 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability, which included arthritis and slight instability, did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected gastrointestinal disorder is found to be caused by her use of medications for other service-connected conditions. The left and right knee disorders are each rated at 20 percent, reflecting moderate impairment due to pain and weakness. Service-connected hypertension does not warrant a rating in excess of the current 10 percent.