Knee decisions — 2003

The veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have been granted increased evaluations to 10 percent each, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability as secondary to service-connected shell fragment wounds of the lower extremities and denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee. The appeal regarding post-traumatic stress disorder, headaches, and right ear hearing loss will be addressed separately.

The veteran's service-connected left knee disorder does not render him unemployable due to his other disabilities and medical conditions.

The VA has denied an increased evaluation for tendonitis / bursitis and possible ganglion of the right knee, currently rated at 40 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's left leg and hip disabilities are not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected lower back disability.

The veteran's right knee disabilities are rated based on instability and arthritis, while his left knee disabilities are rated based on instability. The RO granted increased ratings for the right knee conditions but denied an increase in rating for the left knee prior to January 31, 2000, and granted a higher rating since that date.

The veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, and the Board finds that no higher ratings are warranted based on current evidence.

The Board found no objective indications of chronic disability in the veteran's knees and denied service connection for right and left knee pain.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability, which was previously denied in February 1987.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee and ankle disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of more than moderate limitation of motion, which would warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's headaches are related to his service-connected cervical spine condition. His right knee condition is rated at 20 percent, and the scars on his neck and scalp are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's left knee arthroplasty and right knee disorder are rated based on their respective disabilities, with the left knee receiving a higher rating due to its more severe condition.

The veteran's claims for abdominal numbness, bladder infections, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral foot disability were all denied. The claim for an increased rating for residuals of a fracture of the right ring finger was granted with a noncompensable evaluation.

The veteran's service connection for lumbosacral strain with disc disease was granted, and he is now receiving a 20% evaluation. The other claims were denied.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and denied his claim for service connection. The Board also determined that he met the requirements for a permanent and total disability rating for nonservice-connected pension purposes based on his multiple disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, schizophrenia, arthritis of the knees, and right leg length discrepancy. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left ankle disability was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current right knee disorder is not service-connected, as there was no evidence of a chronic condition during or immediately following service and no medical opinion linking the current condition to service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her service-connected chondromalacia of the right and left knees, as well as bilateral hypertrophic spurring of the acetabulum from December 4, 1995 to August 10, 2001, were denied.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, finding that the preservice injury did not increase in severity during service and that the current condition is not related to active military service.