Knee decisions — 2000

The veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings were granted, with the exception of the lumbar strain claim which was denied. The veteran is entitled to a 10 percent evaluation for hiatal hernia prior to November 16, 1998, and from that date forward.

The Board has granted service connection for chondromalacia patella of the left knee, but denied service connection for depression and a low back disorder secondary to the veteran's right knee disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records review. The issues of increased evaluations for his left knee disability, low back disability, and sinusitis are pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his hiatal hernia and bilateral knee disorder, finding that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for either condition.

The veteran's claims for reimbursement or payment of unauthorized private hospital care were denied because the treatment did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for DJD of the right knee and remanded the issue of an increased rating for DJD of the left knee. The case is now before the Board.

The RO denied service connection for PTSD, residuals of a right knee injury, and a scar on the left middle finger.

The Board has determined that the additional medical records submitted since the final February 1992 rating decision do not constitute new and material evidence to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder.

The RO denied service connection for PTSD, residuals of a right knee injury, and a scar on the left middle finger.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee injury with Osgood-Schlatter's disease was denied as the evidence did not support an increase in disability beyond what is already provided by the current 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for a left hip disability, secondary degenerative joint disease of the right hip, knees, and low back are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a finding that any current disabilities were incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected internal derangement of the left knee, postoperative, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's right knee and femur injuries have been granted service connection, with the spondylosis of the lumbosacral spine being found to be aggravated by these conditions. The right knee is currently rated at 20 percent disabling, while the right femur fracture remains at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disorders, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current level of disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's effective date for a grant of service connection for traumatic arthritis of the knees is June 11, 1997. The RO denied secondary service connection for a left shoulder disorder and increased ratings for knee disabilities.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence submitted, including medical records from his private physician and VA examinations. The claims are well-grounded as there is sufficient evidence to suggest a link between the veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of a left knee injury are manifested by tenderness upon minimal side-to-side movement, pain upon squatting, active range of motion from 0 degrees extension to 60 degrees flexion and passive range of motion from 0 degrees extension to 110 degrees flexion. The Board finds that these manifestations most closely match the 10 percent rating by analogy under DC 5259.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for higher disability evaluations are not well-grounded and have denied them.

The Board has remanded the case for procedural development regarding service connection for a back condition. The claims of increased evaluations for right and left knee conditions remain pending.

The Board denied increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and bilateral tinea infections, and declined to reopen a claim for service connection for a heart disorder. The veteran's attorney entered into an agreement in November 1999 but the requirements for payment of attorney fees from past-due benefits have not been met.