Knee decisions — 2000

The veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation benefits was denied as he had acquired stable employment that did not aggravate his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's general medical conditions of the right leg, including arthritis of the right knee and a scar on the right leg, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, skin rash, and residuals of a right knee contusion. The decision also noted that the cancer claim was not well-grounded as there is no evidence of its onset during service or due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disorder existed prior to his entry into service and did not show an increase in severity during service, thus denying entitlement to service connection.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) determined that the veteran was not entitled to additional vocational training under Chapter 31, despite his eligibility for a program of Employment Services. The decision is based on the veteran's failure to demonstrate cooperation in a plan for employment services.

The Board has denied increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected chondromalacia of the left and right knees. The case is being remanded to allow for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for a low back disorder, left knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder are not well grounded.,However, the claim of service connection for residuals of a head injury with memory loss is well grounded.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, assigning an evaluation of 10 percent effective July 4, 2000. The attorney is eligible to receive a fee equal to 20% of past-due benefits awarded to the veteran.

The Board has determined that the appellant's right knee disorder, which is manifested by chronic pain and swelling with limited motion, does not warrant a rating in excess of the currently assigned 30 percent evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for left knee and right wrist disabilities in August 1997, finding no evidence linking symptoms to service. The appellant's new evidence is not considered material.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, arthritis, and depression as secondary to his service-connected bilateral postoperative hammertoes are not well grounded. The Board also found that the veteran's claim for service connection for depression is well grounded but denied it due to lack of causation.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability and granted an increased rating of 30% for post-traumatic stress disorder, but the veteran's PTSD symptoms have not resulted in more than definite interpersonal or industrial impairment.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected left knee, right knee, and low back disabilities. The RO had previously granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability warrants a 30 percent rating, effective from May 1, 1994. The claim for additional compensation benefits for his spouse was granted and effective July 1, 1997.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that no new and material evidence was presented.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee degenerative arthritis, but the veteran disagrees with the assigned evaluations. The case is being remanded to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding both issues.

The veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disabilities. The veteran did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, and there is no entitlement to dependents' education benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disorder and increased the rating for PTSD to 70 percent effective from March 1996. The veteran's PTSD is currently rated as severe.

The Board has remanded the case due to the inextricability of the issues, and will consider both service connection claims for the right knee disability. The veteran's direct service connection claim is not considered at this time.

The Board has determined that the veteran's postoperative residuals of a left knee injury were not incurred as a result of service, and thus denied his claim.