Knee decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran is already receiving the maximum schedular rating for his service-connected right knee anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction residuals and arthritis. Therefore, he cannot be granted an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for low back pain with degenerative changes, effective March 23, 2003. The other issues have not been resolved and remain pending.

The Board has determined that a 60 percent evaluation is warranted for right total knee arthroplasty, based on the veteran's symptoms and functional limitations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for secondary service connection for a right ankle disability and a separate compensable evaluation for a tender scar over his right knee.

The Board is unable to determine whether the veteran's current patellofemoral arthritis of both knees was caused by service, as there are conflicting medical opinions. The denial for the right knee issue remains in place, but the left knee issue has been reopened and denied.

The Board has denied a claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected internal derangement of the left knee, currently rated at 20 percent.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for her right knee Baker's cyst, finding that there were no skin manifestations or other functional impairment.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied, with the exception of an increased evaluation for left ear tinnitus.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits records.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The right knee conditions were evaluated at a combined 20 percent rating.,The veteran's right knee medial meniscectomy with synovitis and instability is currently manifested by severe residual impairment, warranting a separate 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a right knee disability. The original denials remain final.

The veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for internal derangement of the left knee is being remanded due to inadequate examination and failure to address pain or functional loss.

The Board finds that the veteran's claimed left knee disability, headaches, bilateral ankle disability, TMJ, and bilateral hearing loss are not related to his active duty service. The evidence does not show any chronic disabilities for these conditions during or within one year following service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder secondary to his right knee disability and also denied an increased rating for his postoperative residuals of meniscectomy of the right knee. The decision is final as it was not appealed.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claims of service connection for bipolar disorder, sleep apnea, fractures and degenerative changes of the hips, knees, feet and arms, and fractures and degenerative changes of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine and a venous insufficiency. The claims were previously denied in July 1993 but reopened due to new evidence submitted by the appellant.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee injury residuals, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for such an increase.

The Board denied service connection for glaucoma and arthritis of the knees. The decision on arthritis was based on a valid claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) not being presented, while the glaucoma claim was denied due to lack of evidence linking current condition to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected chondromalacia, right knee, does not warrant a compensable evaluation. The claim for an increased rating for arthritis and limited motion of the left knee is also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any service-connected conditions.,There is no evidence of a current disability for renal cancer, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or knee disorder. The low back disorder was diagnosed many years after service.