Knee decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability warrants a 20% rating based on chondromalacia and degenerative joint disease, with frequent episodes of locking and severe pain.

The Board has restored the previously assigned 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's right knee disability, effective May 1, 1989.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review, including consideration of a June 2004 independent medical opinion. The veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The veteran's combined service-connected disabilities, which include multiple knee and hip injuries along with arthritis and anxiety/depression, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board found no relationship between the veteran's current left knee disability and his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The VA determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound due to service-connected disabilities, as he is not bedridden, blind, nearly blind, or institutionalized.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back strain, left elbow disability, and bilateral knee disability. The VA found no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle disability is not service-connected, and his bilateral knee and low back disabilities are also denied. The claim for a compensable evaluation for residuals of a compound alveolus fracture of the mandible was withdrawn by the veteran.

The Board found no competent evidence of current hepatitis C or residuals thereof, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C. The left knee disorder was granted but not increased in rating.

The veteran's right knee disorder is not service connected. The Board has dismissed this issue due to the veteran withdrawing his appeal prior to a decision by the Board. His back disorder was also found not to be service-connected, and he does have a separate rating for an acquired neuropsychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability with conversion reaction, effective from the date of the decision. The initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for left knee osteoarthritis remains denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and residuals of a rib injury, finding no evidence to support these claims based on the lack of documented injuries or disabilities during service.

The Board found that the veteran's current right knee disability is not related to her military service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a claimed bilateral knee disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining records from military facilities and verifying stressor events.

The veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the issue of entitlement to a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected right knee disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on instability or arthritis. The veteran was granted a separate 10% rating for arthritis of the right knee.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative joint disease of both knees, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating and a higher rating for his service-connected right knee disability, as well as the reopening of his PTSD and back disability claims, were denied. The claim for service connection for a neck disability was not addressed in this decision.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete service medical records and the need for further development.