Knee decisions — 2003

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee overuse syndrome and low back strain, finding that these conditions are secondary to the veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, arthritis of the right knee, and hypertension were denied. The Board found no evidence to support these claims based on the lack of a nexus between the claimed conditions and active service.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 30 percent for the service-connected residuals of a dislocated right shoulder, effective September 14, 2000. The initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee prior to September 14, 2000 is denied. An increased rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee subsequent to September 14, 2000 is also denied. The claim for an increased rating for postoperative residuals of a neuroma of the right foot with arthralgia of the second, third, and fourth metatarsophalangeal joints remains pending.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to an incident during military service.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The RO has granted service connection for the appellant's right and left ankle and foot disabilities, as well as his bilateral knee disabilities. The initial evaluations assigned are 20 percent for each of the right and left ankle and foot disabilities, and 10 percent for each of the bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has restored the veteran's 20 percent rating for his left knee disability, effective from November 1, 1997. The veteran seeks an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for his left knee disability.

The Board finds that the veteran sustained a tear to the left knee cartilage in April 1992, and has been determined by medical professionals to suffer from current residuals of this injury. Therefore, service connection for residuals of a left knee injury is granted.

The VA Regional Office (RO) denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left knee injury.

The VA denied a higher initial evaluation for the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee, currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities are currently rated at 30 percent for patellofemoral crepitus and 10 percent each for degenerative joint disease. The Board has determined that these ratings do not meet the criteria for increased ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, characterized by severe painful motion and weakness, warrants a 60 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5055.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee instability and arthritis, finding that the evidence did not support evaluations higher than the current 20 percent and 10 percent ratings.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability secondary to her service-connected left knee disability, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support this conclusion.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for chondromalacia of the right knee, finding that the current rating of 20% is appropriate based on the veteran's symptoms and medical evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for arthritis of the right knee, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee instability, status post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, warrants a 20 percent disability rating effective prior to January 13, 2000 and as of May 1, 2000. The veteran's degenerative joint disease of the left knee is currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a failure of proper notification for his scheduled video hearing. He will be given the opportunity to appear at an RO hearing.