Knee decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased ratings due to conflicting examination findings and additional development is required.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his left knee disability was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The service connection claims for right knee and ankle disorders, as well as low back disorder, were also denied due to lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to his service-connected left knee disability or his period of active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for additional vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31 of Title 38 of the United States Code, finding that she was rehabilitated and did not meet the criteria for reentrance into a rehabilitation program.

The Board found no evidence of a bilateral knee or low back disability in service, and the veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's left knee disability, which is already rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Codes 5259-5010, does not warrant a higher rating due to lack of evidence showing ankylosis, severe recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, limitation of flexion to 15 degrees, or limitation of extension to 20 degrees.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected left shoulder strain, tendinitis of the left knee, and tendinitis of the left ankle. The RO found that these conditions did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 60 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His service-connected conditions do not warrant an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed disabilities, including chondromalacia of the right knee, right foot pain, and interphalangeal joint fusion of the second, third, and fourth toes bilaterally.

The VA has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, which includes postoperative internal derangement and traumatic arthritis, warrants a rating of 30 percent. This is less than what the veteran was seeking for his condition.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a right knee injury, status post operative repair, anterior cruciate ligament tear. The claim for secondary service connection for right ankle, hip, and low back disorders is also granted.

The VA has remanded the case for further evaluation of the veteran's right knee disorder, including obtaining medical records and conducting a physical examination. The veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected right knee condition.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and compensable disability ratings are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a temporary total disability rating due to arthroscopic surgery performed on March 12, 2002, as it was not necessitated by his service-connected reactive arthritis of the left knee.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, a heart disorder (claimed as mitral valve prolapse with mild regurgitation), and essential tremor. The claim for an increased rating for degenerative joint and disc disease, status post L5 laminectomy, is remanded due to changes in the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of shrapnel wounds of the right knee and hypertension, assigning a 10% disability rating.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a special home adaptation grant or specially adapted housing under 38 U.S.C.A. � 2101(a).

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including another VA examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a left eye disability and poliomyelitis were denied. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of internal derangement of the left knee was granted, with a current evaluation of 30 percent since August 3, 1999.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and residuals of an anthrax vaccination due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen previously denied claims for service connection for various conditions. The Board has granted a compensable disability evaluation (30%) for the service-connected ureteral calculi.