Knee decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-operative residuals of a right knee injury, other than arthritis, warrant a 30 percent rating. The arthritis of the right knee is rated separately at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5010 due to its impact on joint motion and function.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating and a separate, additional rating for his service-connected left knee disability. The current evaluation of 10% for degenerative joint disease is upheld.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, finding that her pre-existing condition did not worsen during military service.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the appellant's service-connected myositis ossificans of the left thigh with left knee and hip involvement, effective from the date of the August 2002 VA examination.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for right knee arthritis, effective from the date of the decision. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection and increased evaluation of the left knee disorder and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.

The veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but his bilateral hearing loss and right knee disorder are not. His back disorder is also service-connected.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a temporary total rating based on convalescence following surgery in March 2000, finding that the surgery was for an intervening non-service-connected condition. The service connection for left knee surgeries and gunshot wound residuals is pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability, currently rated at 20 percent, does not warrant an increased evaluation due to the lack of more than slight impairment.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee disability and pseudofolliculitis barbae were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his previously denied claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine disability, right knee chondromalacia and post-traumatic osteoarthritis, left knee chondromalacia and post-traumatic osteoarthritis, right sacroiliac joint arthritis of pelvic fracture residuals, and left sacroiliac joint arthritis of pelvic fracture residuals.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected left knee injury, finding that it did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a left hip disorder (bursitis) that is secondary to the veteran's service-connected right knee ligament strain. The veteran was also granted an initial noncompensable rating for her right knee ligament sprain, which was later increased to 10 percent.

The veteran is permanently and totally disabled for pension purposes due to multiple non-service-connected disabilities, including hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux, dysthymia by history, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar and thoracic spines, degenerative joint disease of the left ankle, bilateral knee arthritis of the patella, mass soft tissue of the neck, and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left and right knee total joint replacements due to osteoarthritis are related to service, with a finding of direct service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right knee and right ankle disabilities, with some issues granted and others not.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation and TDIU due to his service-connected status post left total knee replacement, finding that a higher rating was not warranted based on the evidence of record.