Knee decisions — 2003

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee arthritis and post meniscectomy conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's left knee disability, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by her active duty service.

The VA has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's postoperative residuals of a left knee disorder, effective from the date of the decision.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his degenerative arthritis of the left knee is being remanded to allow for a videoconference hearing before the Board.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected chondromalacia of the right and left knees, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The RO increased the evaluation for chondromalacia of the right knee with meniscal tear from zero to 20 percent, effective February 1998. The other conditions and issues remain unchanged.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the reopening of claims for service connection for arthritis of the knees, hips, and ankles.

The Board has granted a 60 percent disability rating for the veteran's residuals of a herniated lumbar disc with radiculitis, effective from March 1998. The right knee disabilities are rated at 30 percent and 10 percent respectively.

The Board finds that the veteran's current heart disease and bilateral knee disability are not related to his active service. The VA opinions do not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his postoperative residuals of left knee osteochondritis, currently rated at 30 percent. The right knee disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for cardiovascular disability, including hypertension, and other chronic disabilities claimed by the veteran. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection or due to an undiagnosed illness.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected right knee disability, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee strain, scar, and hearing loss.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee condition pre-existed service and was not aggravated during service. As a result, the claim for service connection for his current right knee disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and therefore denied all three issues of bilateral otitis externa, bilateral hearing loss disability, and right knee disorder.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, decreased visual acuity, and a right knee disorder. The claim for increased rating of asbestosis was also denied.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's postoperative right knee ACL tear, finding that the evidence did not meet or closely approximate the criteria for any higher evaluation under the schedular criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability is not attributable to his period of military service and was not caused or made worse by his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues, and a new hearing before a Member of the Board at the RO is required.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for left knee degenerative joint disease secondary to residuals of arthrotomy of the left knee was granted, and he is now receiving a 20 percent evaluation. The issue of service connection for a low back disability as secondary to his service-connected left knee condition was also granted.