Knee decisions — 2000

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the left thigh and also denied service connection for arthritis of the left knee and hip, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or service-connected condition.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (right total knee replacement and hypertensive cardiovascular disease) prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his occupational experience and education.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability with degenerative arthritis, effective from when the claim was filed. Service connection for a lower back disability is denied as not well grounded.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability, and thus denied both the secondary service connection claim for a left knee disability and the increased evaluation claim.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for back, neck, and left knee disabilities due to new evidence submitted since the final denial in October 1996. The Board finds that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, characterized by arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis with minimal limitation of motion and slight instability, warrants a 20 percent rating.

The veteran's current psychiatric disorder is at least as likely as not etiologically related and aggravated by his service-connected lumbar disability. The RO should issue a Statement of the Case on the issues of residuals of a fracture of the left fibula and trauma to the right knee.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability. However, the reopened claim is not well grounded as there is no competent medical evidence showing a current right knee disorder related to the veteran's active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that they were not well-grounded and thus not supported by competent evidence showing a relationship to service.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current left knee disorder to his period of service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal for payment of unauthorized medical expenses resulting from private medical care received on July 8, 1996 was denied as the required criteria were not met.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating of 10 percent for his service-connected chondromalacia, left knee. The effective date is September 9, 1996.

The case is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the veteran's knee disabilities and determine appropriate ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee subluxation and assigned a 30 percent rating for deep vein thrombosis of the left lower extremity. The veteran's left knee condition is considered to have been aggravated by his military service, while the deep vein thrombosis was not found to be directly related to service.

The veteran's case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the extent of his left knee disability. The RO will also consider service connection claims for right knee disability, left wrist disability, and ilioinguinal nerve disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a hearing before the Board at the RO.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for bilateral degenerative joint disease of the knees, as it does not appear related to any period of active duty or reserve training.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for residuals of left knee injury and a temporary total evaluation based on convalescence following left knee arthroscopy in September 1997, finding that the requirements for such evaluations were not met.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for postoperative right knee disability and a noncompensable evaluation for cholecystectomy. The RO is directed to contact the veteran and request information about any medical providers who may have relevant treatment records.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the veteran's bronchial asthma, but denied an increased rating for his left knee injury.