Knee Board decisions

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder and granted service connection for hypertension, finding that these conditions had their onset during service. Service connection for left knee disorder is not addressed as it was not part of the appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee and a compensable evaluation for chronic rhinitis with history of tonsillitis and pharyngitis.

The veteran's combined disability rating is 70%, which meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The VA denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the current evaluations of 10 percent are appropriate based on the clinical findings.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an extension of his basic twelve-year period of eligibility for vocational rehabilitation training.

The veteran's disabilities, including arthritis in his right knee, tendonitis in his right ankle and foot, and hypertension, do not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. Therefore, he is not entitled to nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board granted a 20% disability rating for the veteran's left knee meniscectomy and increased his separate 10% rating for arthritis of the left knee. The RO also assigned noncompensable ratings for atrophy of the left thigh muscle, atrophy of the left calf muscle, and scars to the left knee.

The Board granted a 20% disability rating for the veteran's left knee meniscectomy and increased his separate 10% rating for arthritis of the left knee. The RO also assigned noncompensable ratings for atrophy of the left thigh muscle, atrophy of the left calf muscle, and scars to the left knee.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee condition, which includes a meniscectomy and arthritic changes, does not warrant an increased evaluation beyond 20 percent. The left knee condition of chondromalacia was also found to be adequately rated at 10 percent.

The veteran withdrew his appeal, requesting the Board to dismiss it.

The veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded because the VA examination report does not contain an adequate assessment of his left knee disability, particularly with respect to pain and functional impairment. The RO must obtain all relevant medical records, schedule the veteran for a VA examination, and ensure that the claims folder is made available to the examiner.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic acquired right knee disorder, finding no evidence of current disability and concluding that any pre-existing condition was not aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability, post-operative meniscectomy and retropatellar pain syndrome, warrants a 30 percent evaluation effective from September 4, 1998.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for the residuals of a right knee injury. The appellant's right knee disorder preexisted service, but was aggravated by service beyond its natural progression.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed because she did not file a timely substantive appeal for the increased evaluations assigned for her service-connected conditions.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (left total knee arthroplasty, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus) are evaluated as 70 percent disabling. The combined disability rating is 70 percent, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service connected disabilities.

The Board finds that the veteran does not currently have a diagnosed left leg or right knee disorder. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral leg and left shoulder disorders are not related to his military service, and his bilateral knee disorder is due to congenital conditions. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative joint diseases of the left wrist, thoracic spine, right knee, left knee, and lumbosacral spine are currently rated at 10 percent each. The RO has denied his claims for higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees and hips was incurred as a result of his active service, including parachute jumping and helicopter-borne air assault activities in Vietnam.