Knee decisions — 2003

The Board has found new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, which was previously denied in 1958 and again by the Board in 1998.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on limitation of motion.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left total knee replacement and right knee disorder, finding that the evidence did not support ratings higher than the current 30 percent and 20 percent assigned.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ankylosing spondylitis and degenerative arthritis of the hips and left knee, have rendered him so helpless that he requires regular aid and attendance from another person. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for postoperative anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction of the left knee was denied due to his failure without good cause to report for a necessary VA orthopedic examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and increased ratings for his residuals of shrapnel wounds to the left lower extremity and conversion reaction (anxiety disorder). The veteran was already receiving the highest evaluation available under Diagnostic Code 5315 for the shrapnel wounds, and no higher rating is warranted. For anxiety disorder, the Board found that the current 30 percent evaluation adequately reflects his symptoms.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by her active duty service and denied her claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's DJD of the right knee is service-connected, while his DJD of the left knee was not incurred or aggravated during active service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection and assignment of a 20 percent disability rating for subluxation of the left patella is granted, with the effective date set at April 1, 2002.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran does not have bilateral knee disabilities or headaches due to military service and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee synovitis with arthritis and right knee degenerative joint disease, both rated at 10 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's postoperative residuals, meniscectomy of the right knee warrant a 30 percent rating. Additionally, arthritis of the right knee is separately rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for his right knee disability. The claim for PTSD was denied due to a lack of current diagnosis, while the right knee disability was rated at 10% based on arthritis with limitation of motion.

The Board denied service connection for left leg pain and assigned a 10 percent initial evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the left knee.

The veteran's right knee disability, rated as 10 percent disabling for residuals of a right knee sprain with traumatic arthritis, is not shown to warrant an increased rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee disability and hallux valgus of the right foot, finding that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating at any time since service connection was established.

The veteran's service connection claims for left biceps tendonitis, right knee condition, left shoulder condition, low back pain, and headaches have been granted.

The Board denied a separate 10 percent rating for service-connected left knee disability under Diagnostic Code 5259, finding that such a rating would constitute pyramiding and that the veteran was already in receipt of a 30 percent rating for his left knee disability.

The veteran's left total knee replacement residuals have been shown to be manifested by chronic left knee pain, severe left knee limitation of motion, and no prosthetic abnormalities. The criteria for a 60 percent evaluation for left total knee replacement residuals have been met.

The Board found that the veteran sustained a right knee injury during service and that this injury resulted in current disability. The Board concluded that residuals of a right knee injury were incurred in service.