Knee decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current left knee or right elbow disability and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased rating for his service-connected right knee disability, leaving only the issue of service connection for depression as secondary to his right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's present right knee disability is related to his in-service complaints of knee pain and arthritis, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant's peripheral vascular disease with post-operative below the right knee amputation was incurred in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for the left knee, right shoulder, or psychiatric conditions (to include PTSD). The veteran's claims were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence linking his symptoms to service.

The VA determined that the veteran's right knee disability, which has been rated at 10 percent since July 1983, does not warrant a higher rating as there is no evidence of ankylosis or instability. The current evaluation reflects the highest possible rating for removal of cartilage.

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

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he has a high school education and worked in construction before entering service. The combined disability rating is less than the required 70% for a TDIU.

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

The Board has granted increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, left wrist DJD, right knee DJD, blastomycosis, and peptic ulcer disease with hiatal hernia and esophageal reflux.

The veteran's left leg shortening and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee are considered service-connected. However, his left knee tendinitis is not currently shown, and his lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease at L4-L5 and L5-S1 is granted.

The veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the foot, ankles, knee, and right hip was denied as there is no evidence that these conditions were incurred during or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities have a combined rating of 70 percent, affecting each lower extremity and arising from a common etiology. The VA has determined that the veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the denial of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder as secondary to a service-connected heel spur, plantar fasciitis, and Achilles tendonitis, left foot and ankle; loss of kidney and gallbladder, including as a disability due to undiagnosed illness and as secondary to service-connected kidney stones; and depression and PTSD.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for his bilateral hearing loss and right knee disability were denied. The current evaluations are considered appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied reopening the veteran's claims for bilateral knee arthritis and arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that new evidence did not provide a basis to reopen the claims.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certification of eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disorder, finding that it was neither incurred nor aggravated during active duty.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including low back syndrome and bilateral knee disorders, have rendered him unable to walk without the aid of braces, canes, or a wheelchair. The claim for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile is granted, but the claim for specially adapted housing is denied.

The veteran's appeal was denied for various issues, including evaluations for his right thumb and knee disabilities. The appeals were not granted.