Knee Board decisions

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, characterized by lateral instability and degenerative joint disease, warrants a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to a service-connected right knee disorder, but denied the claim on de novo review. The claim for an increased rating for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome was also denied.

The veteran's bilateral knee arthritis is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5003, and the Board has determined that a higher evaluation is warranted due to occasional incapacitating exacerbations.

The veteran's multiple health conditions, including bradycardia, coronary artery disease, hypertension, aortic valve replacement, joint disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and knee joint replacements, severe congestive heart failure, Alzheimer's with agitation features and dementia, render him in need of aid and attendance of another person and housebound. As such, the veteran is granted special monthly pension based upon the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability was incurred during active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied increased ratings for left knee chondromalacia, with the first rating of 10 percent from January 21, 1992, through August 14, 1997, and a subsequent increase to 20 percent effective August 15, 1997.

The veteran's claimed disabilities are not service connected due to lack of evidence showing they were incurred or aggravated during his active duty in the Persian Gulf.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the issues related to depression service connection and right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current disabilities, including arthritis of the knees, hips, and lumbar spine, are causally related to his military service. As such, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his right wrist tendonitis, traumatic cataract of the right eye (from October 16, 1991 through November 19, 2000), and a right knee disability were denied. The initial 10% evaluation for right wrist tendonitis was upheld, while the 30% evaluation for the right eye condition from November 20, 2000 to the present is also upheld.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a current bilateral knee disability or right hip disability distinct from his service-connected fibromyalgia. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's internal derangement of the left knee with arthritis and residuals of right knee injury with arthritis are both rated at 30 percent, effective April 18, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for his claimed shoulder and knee disorders, finding no evidence linking these conditions to active military service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current right knee disorder and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's TDIU rating was granted effective December 15, 1994. Service connection for a low back disability was established and rated at 60 percent effective the same date. The right knee disability received an increased rating to 10 percent in November 1996. The veteran's loss of use claim and adaptive equipment request were denied.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee or leg condition is not related to his service-connected right knee tenosynovitis and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's increased rating claim for his service-connected right knee disorder is being remanded due to the inextricability of his disability ratings based on right knee instability and arthritis.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal due to his withdrawal of all issues on appeal.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The TDIU claim was granted with a 20% rating.