Knee decisions — 2000

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, examinations, and consideration of secondary service connection.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected right knee injury, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability and residuals of a left knee injury. However, it was determined that the appellant's character of discharge from military service is under dishonorable conditions due to willful and persistent misconduct (AWOL), which constitutes a bar to VA benefits other than health care and related benefits authorized by Chapter 17, Title 38, United States Code.

The Board has granted the requested evaluations for the veteran's service-connected knee and foot disabilities, but did not grant any additional evaluations as the current ratings are already at their maximum.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a left knee disorder and an increased rating for his right knee condition, finding that there was no evidence linking any current left knee disorder to service or a service-connected disability. The right knee condition is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, characterized by painful motion and tenderness, does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that there is no evidence linking his current knee problems to his service-connected pes planus or any other condition. The Board concluded that the preponderance of the evidence does not support the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for reflux esophagitis with duodenitis, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic right knee disorder or significant impairment from the service-connected reflux esophagitis.

The veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Board found that the veteran's current 20 percent evaluation for left knee patellectomy with medial meniscus tear is appropriate and denied an increased rating.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection and extensions of temporary total ratings were not well grounded, and thus denied them. The claim for TDIU was also not met.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection of right knee and right ankle disabilities as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board found the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the right hip well grounded, but determined that there was no evidence to support a finding that the current condition is related to service. The other issues were not addressed as they are part of the remand process.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disorder is not service-connected and denied his claim for an increased rating of his bilateral metatarsal calluses. The evidence did not support a finding linking the current disorders to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability warranted a 20% evaluation, but denied claims for increased evaluations and service connection for right knee disability and depression/substance abuse.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disorder on a direct basis and secondary service connection for a right knee disorder. The claim for an increased rating for his left knee disorder is granted.

The Board denied service connection for back disability, left knee disability, and increased evaluations for the service-connected disabilities. The veteran's claims of right knee disability were not supported by competent evidence showing that they are plausible or capable of substantiation.

The veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation training was denied because he failed to cooperate with the VA staff in carrying out the initial evaluation and developing a rehabilitation plan.

The Board found that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person or housebound status due to her disabilities.