Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for aortic occlusion-thrombosis with bilateral above-the-knee amputation as secondary to service-connected schizophrenia, entitlement to special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance of another person or housebound status, and eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant. The veteran's claim for adaptive equipment only was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and instability, warrants a 20 percent rating for limitation of motion and no higher. The claim is granted.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability, rated at 20 percent, does not warrant a higher rating due to lack of ankylosis or recurrent subluxation/lateral instability. The preponderance of evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his left knee strain residuals and bilateral tinea pedis, finding that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 10 percent for either condition.

The veteran was granted service connection for PTSD. The right knee degenerative changes and skin disorder of the feet were denied as not related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no evidence of instability or limitation of motion that would support higher ratings. The plantar warts disability also does not meet criteria for a separate rating.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected left knee injury with degenerative changes, finding that his range of motion did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The VA denied the veteran's request for a higher rating for his right knee disability, which is currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected knee and back disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that they are more than slight or mild in nature.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found no evidence of current heart disease or arthritis, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began in service.

The veteran's back pain and joint pain are not service-connected, as they are attributed to his own degenerative conditions rather than an undiagnosed illness or exposure.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and increased ratings for the veteran's right foot navicular fracture residuals and degenerative changes in his right ankle.,The Board found that there was no direct or presumptive evidence linking the current right knee, right foot, and right ankle disabilities to active service.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for arthritis of the left knee and a separate 10 percent rating for left knee strain with history of medial collateral ligament injury, effective December 29, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for secondary service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no nexus between his current left knee condition and his service-connected scar, residual of chip fracture, distal anterior tibia, left leg.

The veteran's service-connected postoperative recurrent patellar subluxation of the right knee is rated at 30 percent, and the left knee at 10 percent. The rating for tinea pedis and onychomycosis has been increased to 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is related to his service-connected right ankle disability and grants this claim.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's right and left knee disabilities, finding that the current 10 percent ratings adequately reflected his disability picture.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for instability and arthritis in both knees, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.