Knee decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee and back disabilities are not related to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus denied both claims.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability, finding that the current 10% rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the right knee, bilateral pes planus (flat feet), and residuals of an injury to the right great toe. The veteran's current conditions are found to be aggravated by his service-connected left knee disorder.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, finding no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for scars of the knees and a low back disability were denied. The low back disability was rated as 40 percent disabling from July 10, 1996 to September 22, 2002, and then rated at 40 percent with an additional 10 percent for L5 radiculopathy.

The veteran's claim for increased non-service-connected special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance was denied as he is able to perform many daily activities without assistance.

The veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine were denied. The claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for postoperative right shoulder dislocation was granted (20%). However, the claim for TDIU remains denied.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for severe bilateral pes planus with degenerative changes, but denied the claims for higher evaluations of the right and left knee disabilities.

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 right knee disorder, which is now considered on its merits. The medical opinions suggest that the veteran's service-connected left knee disorder may have aggravated his non-service connected right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, including Osgood-Schlatter's disease. The Board also found that this condition was aggravated by service.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's left knee disability and a temporary total evaluation based on required convalescence following his January 1994 arthroscopic surgery.

The veteran's right knee condition, which resulted in a partial synovectomy and debridement, is currently rated at 20 percent disabling.

The Board found that the veteran's current knee and hip conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor could they be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and multiple joint arthritis. The decision also addressed her claim for secondary service connection for myofascial pain syndrome and other disabilities.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the residuals of status post medial meniscectomy of the right knee, and assigned a separate 10 percent evaluation for arthritis with Baker's cyst of the right knee.

The Board has determined that an increased evaluation for the veteran's left knee disability is not warranted, and thus denied the claim.

The veteran's right knee chondromalacia is rated at 10 percent, and his residuals of urethra stricture with a history of prostatitis are rated as noncompensable. The veteran has been granted increased ratings for both conditions.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing assistance or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to walk without aid.