Knee decisions — 2000

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder on both primary and secondary bases. The claim for primary service connection is well-grounded, but the claim for secondary service connection to his service-connected pes planus disability is not.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected right knee and left knee disabilities, as well as varicose veins with phlebitis, were denied by the Board. The RO had previously assigned ratings based on these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's seizure disorder warrants a 20% rating, effective from July 13, 1998. The initial rating for her left knee condition remains at 10%.

The VA determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right knee warrants a 10 percent rating, effective from August 1995.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected post-operative residuals of right knee degenerative joint disease, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a right knee, right shoulder, or sinus condition that can be linked to his period of service. Therefore, he is denied service connection for these conditions.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, currently rated at 10 percent.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his right knee disability, currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on additional limitation or instability.

The Board granted a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD effective to May 11, 2000. The RO also increased the disability rating for PTSD from 30 percent to 50 percent effective May 11, 1995.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a painful scar and postoperative residuals of meniscectomy, which he claims are related to his service-connected osteochondroma. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development including a special surgical examination.

The Board has determined that arthritis of the hips, knees, hands, and low back did not begin during service or due to a service-connected condition. The veteran's current condition is considered unrelated to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder and right knee disability were not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current bilateral knee or ankle disorder related to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 40 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and left knee, post-operative partial medial meniscectomy.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee condition is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his claims file.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Buerger's disease and a right knee disability, as well as his claim for an increased evaluation for left knee disability. The decision also noted that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for Buerger's disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings, secondary service connection, and a total compensation rating based on individual unemployability. The left ankle disability was rated at 30 percent, but no higher. The back and right knee disabilities were not found to be related to the service-connected left ankle condition.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted, and he is assigned a 10 percent evaluation for his patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee with history of right patellar fracture. The left knee condition is also granted, but only at a noncompensable rating.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical records.

The veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent evaluation, effective January 9, 1998.,Chondromalacia of the knees was denied as not warranting a compensable evaluation.