Knee decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder is service-connected as secondary to his right knee disability. The claim for an increased evaluation of the right knee disability is also granted.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 14, 1996 for a 20 percent evaluation for internal derangement of the right knee is denied.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that it developed during service and is not related to pre-service conditions. The issue of aggravation during service was also addressed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, as well as finding that his asthma claim was not well-grounded.

The veteran's initial claim for a left knee disability was denied in 1977 due to failure to report for examination. In 1992, he filed a new claim which resulted in service connection and an initial rating of 20 percent effective July 17, 1992.

The Board found that there is no competent evidence of a current left knee disability attributable to the veteran's active service and denied the claim for service connection. The low back disability claim was deferred pending additional development.

The Board found that the veteran did not require continued convalescence beyond February 28, 1997, and denied his request for an extension of a temporary total disability rating.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of disability compensation benefits for a torn medial collateral ligament of his left knee has been denied. The effective date is set at June 24, 1993.

The Board has denied the claims of service connection for a right foot disorder and bilateral knee disorder as not well grounded.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee and low back disorders do not warrant increased ratings based on the current evidence of record. The most recent clinical findings did not support higher evaluations under applicable rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased initial disability evaluations for his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbar spine and cervical spine. The veteran was granted an initial noncompensable evaluation for tendonitis of the right upper extremity and a 10 percent initial disability rating for tendonitis of the left upper extremity and chondromalacia patella, right knee.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral osteoarthritis of the hips and knees due to a lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status was denied because he is not in need of such assistance due to his mobility issues and medical conditions, and does not meet the criteria for housebound status.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and proper rating assignments for his right knee injury, osteoarthritis of the right knee, and right foot disorder with ankle problems.

Your claims for service connection for a nervous condition and a right knee condition are being remanded to the regional office for further action.

The Board found no competent evidence linking the veteran's current disabilities to his active military service, thus denying all claims for service connection.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for chondromalacia of the left knee, status post arthroscopy, is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disorder, postoperative lateral meniscectomy, is manifested by slight functional impairment due to chronic pain on motion and does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee traumatic arthritis, status post arthroscopic medial meniscectomy and assigned a 10 percent evaluation effective November 9, 1998. The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date.