Knee Board decisions

The veteran's right and left knee disorders have been granted increased ratings of 20 percent each, effective from the date of the decision. The PTSD claim is remanded to the RO for further action.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a 100% rating for femur fracture residuals and a 30% rating for major depression, do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The veteran's right knee ligament and meniscus tears are currently rated at 20 percent. Service connection for a left knee disorder is pending due to lack of evidence supporting it as a separate issue from the current claims.

The veteran's arthritis of the knees, toes, and left ankle was not incurred or aggravated by service. The RO denied his claims for increased rating for right ankle disability and pension.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his groin injury with right femoral nerve impingement and left knee patellofemoral malalignment syndrome, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated during service and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of any of the claimed conditions and therefore, service connection is denied for all issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disorder is related to his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a left knee disorder, characterized as degenerative joint disease of the left knee, is denied. The effective date cannot be earlier than October 18, 2000.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an effective date prior to July 20, 2002, for a grant of total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The veteran is not entitled to financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment, nor is he eligible for specially adapted housing or home adaptations.

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.