Knee decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of an increase in severity during service or arthritis within one year after discharge.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions on functional loss due to pain and weakness, considering separate ratings for arthritis and instability, and addressing whether a higher evaluation is warranted on an extra-schedular basis.

The veteran's right knee disorder, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis), was rated at 20 percent disabling from January 18, 1994 to July 13, 1997 based on limitation of motion.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's right knee disability, effective from November 28, 1995.

The VA determined that the veteran's right knee injury residuals, following total knee replacement surgery, do not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and assigned a 10% rating for the left wrist arthritis with neurological impairment. The issues of increased ratings are also addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the veteran's service-connected left leg disability is aggravated by his coexisting degenerative arthritis and suprapatellar calcific tendinitis or bursitis of the left knee, and to consider whether separate ratings are warranted.

The RO granted increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected below the knee amputation of the right leg and shrapnel wound of the left lower leg with healed fracture, both rated at 40 percent.

The veteran's service-connected right knee disability was granted, but the RO is now required to reassess the evaluation due to a significant increase in symptoms over the past year.

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error in the May 1987 rating decision, which denied service connection for a back disability. As a result, the claim is granted effective from March 28, 1987.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a left knee disorder are not well-grounded, as there is no competent medical evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected right knee disorder, which more closely approximates severe impairment with recurrent subluxation or lateral instability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for low back strain is not well grounded. The additional documentation submitted with regard to her right knee lateral instability with osteoarthritis constitutes new and material evidence, allowing her claim to be reopened.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected left knee disability (chronic and symptomatic medial plica) does not warrant a compensable rating. The right knee disability was rated as 20 percent disabling, but the RO is now required to provide an additional VA examination to determine if the current range of motion findings support a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification of whether the appellant is disagreeing with the August 1999 decision by the RO, and to request verification of any prior active duty dates prior to March 1965.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there was no competent medical evidence establishing a relationship between his current right knee disorder and his military service or any incident therein.

The Board has denied all claims for increased evaluations as there is no evidence of more than slight instability or flexion limitation in the knees, and no objective evidence of painful motion. The preponderance of the evidence supports a finding that the current 10 percent ratings are appropriate.

The Board found no evidence that the veteran's current right knee disability is related to VA treatment, and thus denied his claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shoulder pain and right knee pain due to undiagnosed illness, finding the claims not well-grounded.

The Board granted a separate 10 percent rating for traumatic arthritis of the left knee, effective November 23, 1997. Attorney fees are now payable based on this decision.