Knee decisions — 2005

The veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective from August 1994. Her left knee disability remains at a 20 percent rating. The lumbosacral spine condition continues to be rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee conditions, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, finding that there was not even mild recurrent subluxation or lateral instability to warrant a higher evaluation.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's right knee injury with Osgood-Schlatter disease, currently rated at 20 percent.

The veteran is seeking service connection for right knee and low back disabilities, as well as a higher rating for his left leg disability. The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claims can be fully adjudicated.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's bilateral bunionectomy. However, his claim for a temporary total disability evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 for convalescence from these surgeries remains denied.

The veteran's right shoulder and left knee disabilities are currently rated at the minimum levels, with no additional disability found. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The veteran's initial ratings for his back and left knee disorders have been granted, with the back disorder receiving a 40 percent rating and the left knee disorders (including arthritis) receiving separate 10 percent ratings. The effective dates are tied to specific medical findings.

The Board found that the reduction in the evaluation for epilepsy from 40% to 20% was proper. The veteran's claim of service connection for a sleep disorder as secondary to his epilepsy was denied, and he did not meet the criteria for an increased rating for left knee disability or TDIU.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for the veteran's left knee disability, effective from April 22, 1994. The temporary total disability evaluation was extended to June 1, 1998.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left knee arthritis and hypertension, prevented him from successfully pursuing a vocational rehabilitation program.

The Board found no credible or competent evidence of a left knee disorder, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right leg/knee disabilities, as well as a right eye vision disability. The memory loss due to concussion issue remains unresolved.

The veteran's right knee disability is currently manifested by slight limitation of motion and pain, from a dislocation of the semilunar cartilage. The Board finds that he is properly rated as 20 percent disabled for his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's left and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptoms or findings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, right hip and knee disorders, and PTSD. The denial was based on lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left knee disorder. The decision also granted service connection at a 10 percent initial disability rating for hepatitis C.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, an earlier effective date for nonservice-connected pension benefits, and increased evaluations for osteochondromatosis of the right knee and arthritis of each knee. The decision is based on a lack of evidence linking any current conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on functional impairment.

The veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left foot with fractures at the base of the second, third, and fourth metatarsals warrants a 10 percent evaluation from March 4, 1992. The veteran's service-connected chondromalacia patellae of the right knee also warrants a 10 percent evaluation from March 4, 1992.