Knee decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, right hip, and left knee disability are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to an additional disability resulting from a disease or injury suffered as a result of training, hospitalization, medical or surgical treatment, or examination was denied by the RO.

The Board finds that the criteria for a rating of 10 percent, but no higher, are met for the veteran's disability from right knee degenerative joint disease status post reconstructive and arthroscopic surgeries, residuals of left ankle sprain, and degenerative disc disease at L5-S1.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant due to his unsteady gait and need for a cane, but he does not have blindness in both eyes or loss of use of both lower extremities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a left knee injury is not well grounded. There is no competent medical evidence demonstrating that the veteran's current left knee disability was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of multiple joints, residuals of a fractured right wrist, partial amputation of left fifth finger, skin disability (telangiectasis), and residuals of a left knee injury. The claim for increased ratings for hemorrhoids was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hiatal hernia, right foot ganglion cyst removal, and residuals of right femur osteotomy. The conditions are currently rated as they are.

The Board has determined that a 30 percent rating is warranted for residuals of a left knee fragment wound, including postoperative residuals of an arthrotomy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and entitlement to ratings in excess of 10 and 20 percent for Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the left knee, finding that there was no competent evidence relating current diagnoses to his military service or service-connected disability.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for DJD of the left knee, effective from May 20, 1999. The veteran's scar of the left leg is not compensable.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for tinnitus and arthritis of the knees, finding that new evidence submitted since the last denial is both new and material. The claims are well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and hiatal hernia, as well as his service connection claims for degenerative joint disease of the knees and elbows, and a bilateral leg disability manifested by cramps. The RO also referred the claim of prostate cancer as a residual of exposure to Agent Orange for further action.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, post replacement is denied. The VA has determined that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, and hemorrhoids. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae was not granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disability and an increased rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no well-grounded evidence to support these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and assigned a 100% disability rating for PTSD, finding that the veteran's symptoms are severe enough to meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the evidence submitted does not meet the criteria for reopening the claim of service connection for a right knee disorder, as there is no new and material evidence presented to show aggravation of a pre-existing condition during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening his service connection secondary right knee and hip conditions, as well as his pension and left knee disability rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of right and left knee injuries, back injury, PTSD, COPD, heart disorder, nicotine dependence, and COPD secondary to tobacco use or nicotine dependence. The claims are not well grounded as there is no competent medical evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected disability is well grounded. The RO must obtain the names and addresses of all medical care providers who have treated him for this condition, including clinical records from Dr. Stephen M. Wilson. A VA orthopedic examination should be scheduled to determine if there are any additional manifestations such as lateral instability or recurrent subluxation that may affect his disability rating.