Knee decisions — 2003

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for osteochondritis dissecans of the right knee, effective from the date of the decision.

The initial 10 percent evaluation assigned for the veteran's right knee disability following service connection is upheld as appropriate given his current symptoms and range of motion.

The Board found that the veteran's disabilities do not render him permanently and totally disabled for pension purposes, as they are rated at less than 100% combined.

The Board denied a higher rating for the veteran's service-connected right knee disorder, finding that his symptoms did not meet criteria for an increased rating based on limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing left femur fracture and associated knee disability were aggravated by service, warranting service connection.

The VA denied an increased disability rating for the veteran's service-connected arthritis of the right knee, currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 60 percent, which does not meet the minimum requirements for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, due to the veteran's unemployability by reason of service-connected disabilities, the case should be submitted to the Director of Compensation and Pension for extraschedular consideration.

The Board found no evidence of an actual injury or chronic disability involving the knees, ankles, and feet during service. The veteran's current complaints are insufficient to support his claims for service connection.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected right knee disability, which resulted from a previous surgery for meniscectomy and plica resection, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of the current 10 percent rating.

The VA has granted an increased disability evaluation of 30 percent for the veteran's residuals of a left knee injury with lateral laxity, effective February 1995.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, characterized as post-operative residuals of a meniscectomy with instability, meets the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Board denied service connection for both the residuals of a shell fragment wound (SFW) of the right leg and the left knee disorder, finding that there was no current disability related to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder that is secondary to the veteran's service-connected low back disability. The claim for left leg disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a separate condition. Service connection for PTSD was granted with an initial evaluation of 50%.

The Board has granted the application to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for left knee disability, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluation of his left knee disability, extension of a temporary total convalescent rating beyond September 30, 1998, compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability of the left knee, and secondary service connection for alcohol and substance abuse.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and an increased evaluation for his right ankle fracture, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected left knee disorder, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his degenerative joint disease of the right knee and residuals of injury of the right knee postoperative, with instability. The RO assigned a 30 percent evaluation for each condition.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his left knee ligament strain, finding that there was at most mild instability and significant complaints of pain but no compensable limitation of motion. The preponderance of evidence did not support a higher rating.