Knee decisions — 2000

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's postoperative residuals, internal derangement right knee and traumatic arthritis, right knee.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and an increased rating, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the left knee claim and concluding that current right fifth finger disability is not related to the service-connected fracture.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, characterized by pain and slight laxity but no significant limitation of motion or degenerative changes, warrants a 10 percent rating.

The Board finds that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active service and thus denied service connection for all issues.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and service connection, among other issues. The veteran was not granted any of his requested benefits.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left hip disorder and increased ratings for his left knee and left ankle scars, finding no current evidence of these conditions or any relationship to service or service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his right ankle, donor site scar, and left knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied as his right leg disability did not result from the right total knee replacement and revision performed in a VA hospital. The effective date for service connection of degenerative joint and disc disease and stenosis of the lumbar spine was also denied.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim was denied. The initial evaluation for the left knee disability remains at 20%. A separate rating of 10% is assigned for degenerative changes at L3-L5.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability warrants a 20 percent evaluation, effective September 13, 1993. The initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD remains in effect since October 9, 1997.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or upon housebound status is denied due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal and respiratory conditions, finding that new evidence was not provided to reopen previously denied claims.

The veteran's non-service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status. The right knee degenerative joint disease was not found to be service-connected.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right knee injury and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, finding no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board is remanding the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and additional development of evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disorder did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and his low back disorder was rated at 10 percent. The decision is mixed as it addressed both issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a confirmed diagnosis of left knee, ankle, or hip disorders. Additionally, rheumatoid arthritis is not currently confirmed in her case. As such, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The VA denied an increased disability evaluation for postoperative internal derangement of the left knee with arthritis, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran is seeking service connection for arthritis of multiple joints, including the hips and knees, which he claims is related to his service-connected residuals of a fracture of the fifth sacrococcygeal vertebra. He also seeks an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of a fracture of the fifth sacrococcygeal vertebra.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating from April 1, 1993.