Knee decisions — 2000

The veteran's left leg gunshot wound residuals, traumatic osteoarthritis of the left ankle, degenerative arthritis of the left knee joint, and left knee instability are all rated at their maximum allowable evaluations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings, finding that his scars are noncompensably disabling and his left knee disability is currently evaluated at 30 percent.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for evaluations of his bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and left wrist ganglion cyst. The right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent disabling.

The RO granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, effective from December 1995. The RO also denied an increase in a 10 percent rating for his service-connected sciatic neuritis of the left leg.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for secondary service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and increased ratings for his foot disabilities due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The VA determined that the veteran's left knee disability does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board found that the June 7, 1971 decision contained clear and unmistakable error in not assigning an 80% rating for a left above-the-knee amputation at the upper third of the femur.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a gunshot wound to the left knee and a cervical spine disability. The veteran's hemorrhoids are currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is not well-grounded, and thus denied.

The Board denied an increased rating for retropatellar pain syndrome of the left knee, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that the veteran's pre-existing condition did not worsen during service.

The veteran died by suicide in July 1993. The cause of death is not service-connected, and the appellant cannot establish eligibility for dependents' educational assistance under Chapter 35.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right ankle, right knee disorder and back disorders are not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and back disability are all service-connected. These conditions were incurred during his period of active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder and left knee disorder are not related to his military service. The claim for a low back disorder is denied, while the claim for a left knee disorder remains closed as no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, a bilateral ankle disorder, and a back disorder are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a causal relationship between these conditions and either service or a service-connected disability.

The veteran's initial claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for a left knee injury was granted, and the RO assigned a 20 percent rating effective from the date of the grant.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's right knee disability, effective October 20, 1994. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Board granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected right knee disability and denied his claim for a TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded and have been denied.