Knee Board decisions

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration of his claims, including review of revised rating criteria.

The veteran's left knee disability, including chondromalacia and traumatic arthritis, is rated at 20 percent for the chondromalacia and 10 percent for the arthritis. The combined rating of 30 percent does not meet the criteria for TDIU.,The veteran has been granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities, including left knee disability.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for left knee degenerative arthritis and partial medical meniscectomy with osteochondral defect over the medial femoral condyle, finding that these conditions meet the criteria for such evaluations based on their manifestations of pain and limited motion.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his total disability from PTSD and other non-service connected conditions.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently suffer from bilateral knee arthritis and that a pterygium of the right eye results in corrected visual acuity of 20/20. The claim for service connection for arthritis of the knees was denied, as there is no evidence of arthritis during service or within one year post-service. The claim for a compensable evaluation for the pterygium of the right eye was also denied.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence supporting an etiological relationship between the veteran's current hip and knee disorders and service. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of left knee injury and defective hearing in the left ear, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected chronic left knee disability warrants a rating of 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available under current VA regulations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than September 29, 1996 for service connection of left knee and left hip disabilities due to lack of evidence submitted prior to that date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for cold injury residuals and osteoarthritis of the knees, as well as his attempt to reopen a claim for right ankle disorder. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's right and left knee disabilities, finding that the conditions did not warrant a rating higher than the current assigned ratings.

The Board denied the propriety of the initial rating for patello-femoral syndrome of the left knee and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but a higher evaluation may be available.

The VA denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for arthritis of the shoulders, knees and TMJ due to lack of new and material evidence.

The VA denied the appellant's claim for an increased evaluation for his right knee injury, currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent for right knee instability and determined that a 10 percent evaluation was appropriate for right knee arthritis.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed low back disorder, left shoulder disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and basal cell carcinoma/actinic keratoses. The VA found no medical evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of multiple joints and increased disability ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The VA has determined that the veteran's arthritis of the right knee does not warrant an evaluation higher than 10 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for a noncompensable or higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment, and the Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee chondromalacia and assigned a single 10 percent disability rating effective January 20, 1995. The veteran is now seeking an increased evaluation.

The Board granted service connection for a right knee disorder and assigned July 28, 1994 as the effective date. The veteran's original claim was filed on January 9, 1978.