Knee decisions — 2000

The VA has determined that the veteran's postoperative left knee meniscus injury is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5259. The Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his residuals of a right knee injury, finding that the evidence did not support such a higher evaluation.

The veteran's application for retroactive payment of annual clothing allowance prior to August 1, 1998 was denied as it is not provided for by law.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and increased the rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee to 10 percent. The claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of internal derangement of the right knee, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's combined non-service-connected disability rating is 60%, which does not meet the requirement for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board found that the right below-the-knee amputation was not caused by the February 19, 1993 aorto-bifemoral bypass graft and denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities to his military service. Therefore, the claims for these conditions were denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including consideration of the issue of restoration of a 30 percent rating and an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board found that the veteran's post-operative right knee disability did not warrant an increased rating beyond 30 percent, but granted a separate 10 percent rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee.

The veteran's claim for disability compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a right below the knee amputation was denied because there is no competent medical evidence to show that his amputation resulted from prior treatment or surgery performed by VA in 1985, or that it resulted in additional disability beyond the intended result of the surgical treatment.

The veteran's claims for increased PTSD, shell fragment wound to the left arm, and left eye disability were denied. The claim for service connection for residuals of malaria was reopened but denied as not well grounded. Service connection for a skin disability, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral knee disabilities was also denied.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking any of the claimed conditions to service, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability evaluation and service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder secondary to her right knee disorder.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete service records and the need for treatment records from Dr. Frankovitch.

The VA denied service connection for adenocarcinoma of the prostate, status post bilateral orchiectomy with impotence and voiding dysfunction. The claim was not well-grounded as there is no evidence linking the condition to service.,Service connection was denied for impaired vision due to primary open angle glaucoma with pseudoaphakia and posterior capsular opacification and cataract of the right eye, which was secondary to the veteran's service-connected thyroid disability. The claim was not well-grounded as there is no direct evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board found that the veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to his physical limitations, but independence in daily living activities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, entitlement to a compensable disability rating for chondromalacia patellae of both knees, and entitlement to a higher disability rating for his generalized anxiety disorder. The issue of total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities remains in contention.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right shoulder blade injury, low back injury, and left knee injury are not well grounded.

The veteran is seeking to have a previous denial of service connection for his left knee disability in March 1956 reversed due to CUE. He also seeks an earlier effective date and increased evaluation for his traumatic arthritis of the left knee.