Knee decisions — 2000

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral lung disorder and residuals of a right knee injury, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service.,The Board also denied the veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for residuals of right wrist fractures and left wrist fractures.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee conditions are being remanded due to the need for further examination and development of medical records.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for PTSD and a right thigh disorder, finding no competent medical evidence to support these claims. The claim for an increased evaluation of major depressive disorder with paranoid features is not well-grounded as there is no current diagnosis or link to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability warrants a rating of 20 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee condition, diagnosed as degenerative disease with chondromalacia patella, was incurred in service and resolved all reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the veteran's request for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA compensation benefits in the amount of $12,054.87 and whether the overpayment was properly created.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia patella of the right knee and muscle tension headaches have been granted, with a rating of 10 percent for each condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a right knee disability were granted, with an effective date of April 23, 1991.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection, a new and material evidence claim, and increased disability ratings. The decision also noted that the veteran had not appealed the March 1987 rating decision denying her left knee disorder.

The RO has granted an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability from 20% to 30%, and then assigned separate ratings of 30% for instability and arthritis with limitation of motion, resulting in a combined rating of 50%. The case is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an updated VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his conditions did not warrant higher ratings or service connection based on exposure to asbestos or other hazards.

The Board found no competent medical evidence of a current right knee disability and concluded that the veteran's claim for service connection was not well-grounded.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left knee scar, heart disorder (including hypertension), left shoulder disorder, tinnitus, bursitis, and amebiasis. The claims are not well-grounded as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 17, 1997 for the increase in special monthly compensation for accrued benefit purposes.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for recurrent lateral instability of the right knee and a separate 10 percent rating for arthritis of the right knee, effective from the date of his original claim.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a left knee disorder, finding that the veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure and surgery at a VA facility, respectively.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a right shoulder disability, and a left knee disability are not well grounded. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these disabilities and an injury or disease in service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc and joint disease, but denied the claims for increased evaluations of chondromalacia patella of both knees. The veteran's knee conditions are currently rated as 20 percent disabling.