Knee Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disorder is not related to his service-connected left knee disorder and denied the claim.

The veteran's left knee disorder, which includes instability and pain, is currently rated at 30 percent disabling. The RO has granted the maximum disability rating provided under Diagnostic Code 5257 for status post meniscectomy of the left knee with marked instability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her claims, including obtaining evidence and records related to her service-connected left foot disability.

The veteran's conditions, including his heart disease, cataracts, anxiety and fatigue, knee problems, gastrointestinal bleeding, and COPD, do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability evaluation for internal derangement of the right knee, effective April 14, 1999.

The Board found that the competent and probative medical evidence did not demonstrate a chronic left knee disorder present in service or related to service. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection of several disorders, including a right shoulder disorder and neck disorder, was granted by the RO on January 2, 2001. The Board denied an earlier effective date due to lack of evidence supporting such a request.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including above-the-knee amputation of the left leg and related heart conditions, so affect his ability to walk without assistive devices as to qualify him for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right and left knee disabilities originated during active duty, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected postoperative meniscectomy, left knee is rated appropriately at 10 percent and his service-connected left knee arthritis is also rated appropriately at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a chronic left knee or left ankle disability, and there is no current evidence of peri-rectal warts or hemorrhoids. The dental injury from service trauma claim was also denied as there is no current evidence of a residual disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability, manifested by pain and slight limitation of motion, warrants an initial noncompensable evaluation from May 19, 1999.

The veteran's hepatitis A and left ankle injury are service-connected, but his right knee disability is not. The Board denied the claims for hepatitis A and right knee disability.

The Board has granted a combined rating of 60% for the veteran's left knee disabilities, which includes ligamentous disorder and degenerative joint disease. The decision also grants TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current left knee disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee chondromalacia and arthritis are aggravated by her service-connected left knee disability, thus granting her claim for secondary service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 15, 1995 for TDIU due to a lack of evidence showing he was unemployable due to service-connected disabilities within one year before his formal claim.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic right or left knee disorder during service and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any current knee disorders are related to service. As such, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's unstable right knee and tricompartmental arthritis of the right knee, finding that there was no evidence of more than mild instability or severe impairment in flexion and extension.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's neck pain, mid and low back pain, left hip disorder, or left knee disorder to his service-connected left ankle disability. The claim for increased evaluation of tarsal tunnel syndrome was granted but at a 20% rating.