*&^&% %^$%$ _+?>)_)()

I think they hope I'll just die or go away before they award a higher rating for grade IV chondromalacia or 4 other Service Connected disabilities.

Been fighting with these YAHOO's this time since Feb over re-evaluation(s) of both knees and prostate.

Some history; Have had three scopes on the right knee and four on the left. All seven were for medial meniscus tears/repairs, patellar debridement and femoral chondyle debridement.

Last go-round for left knee was June 2010. X-rays showed mild deteriation of joint line in both knees. Now have a 1" X 1" full thickness Grade IV on femoral chondyle of left knee. Doctor also states with his best medical opinion that is "more likely than not" that the right knee has followed suit with the left knee and is in at least the same or worse conditon.

Further states in his medical opinion that most definitely the left knee is a candidate for TKR and it is "more likely than not" that the right is also. So much that any further scopes on the right knee would be fruitless.

NOW, here's the part that gets me...........Both knees are rated at 10% after a re-eval in August. But both are in such a condition that necessitate replacement. If I have them replaced, the minimum disability rating is 30% each. 10% requires replacement surgery and 30% after corrective surgery???????????????????????

I've read and read and read the Diagnostic Codes till I've gone blind. I misplace my last denial back in 2001 about grade III warranting 10% and am 99% sure I remember reading that Grade IV warranted a higher rating, just can't remember what.

Right now I'm at the 40% mark with other ratings combined. Have read and chatted with several Vets who almost had to get congress involved to get to the 50% rating.

Anyone here have any info about grade IV rating(s). Not getting much help from MOPH. They just seemed to have initialled off on this last rating and said here it is.