Knee decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disorders are related to incidents and manifestations during active service. As a result, the appeal is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for increased initial ratings for left knee and shoulder disabilities have not been met, as his symptoms do not warrant evaluations in excess of the currently assigned disability ratings.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for a postoperative left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders, as well as residuals of a fracture of the left great toe. The claim for an initial rating for hemorrhoids with anal fissures was also denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating schedule. The issues of service connection for gastrointestinal disorder, back disorder, and tinnitus are denied.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disorder, including osteoarthritis, was not incurred during service and is not related to service. The claims for left knee disorder, right heel and foot disorder, and left heel and foot disorder have also been denied.

The veteran's appeal is for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee disability, which was initially rated at 10 percent. The Board denied a higher rating based on recurrent subluxation or lateral instability and granted a separate rating for arthritis with related functional loss due to pain.

The veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability, diagnosed as rotator cuff insufficiency and chronic impingement syndrome of the left shoulder, was granted. The right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent for postoperative residuals with degenerative arthritis.,Service connection for the left foot disability has been established, and it is currently rated at 10 percent. Service connection for the low back disability has also been established, with a rating of 20 percent. The veteran's gynecomastia condition was granted service connection, with a compensable rating of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than July 26, 1996 for increased compensation and a total disability evaluation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is needed to determine the appropriate service connection for thyroid cancer and to assign compensable ratings for right and left knee strains.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, finding that the current evaluations of 30 percent are appropriate. The appeal regarding service connection for a bilateral hip disorder is pending.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking the appellant's current low back, left shoulder, or left knee disorders to his military service. Therefore, the claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical evidence and a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to new regulations regarding diabetes and Agent Orange exposure, as well as the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee injury with arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination and compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for the residuals of a right total knee replacement effective November 3, 2000. The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for degenerative joint disease of the right hip remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD and a higher rating for his left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support such entitlement.

The veteran's claim for service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis was reopened, leading to a grant of an extension of the temporary total convalescent rating beyond September 30, 1994. The rating for residuals of donor surgery of the right iliac crest and arthritis of the left knee were also granted.