Knee decisions — 2000

The Board determined that the preponderance of the evidence did not support an increase in the original evaluations assigned for the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypothyroidism, low back, migraine headache, right knee, left knee, left shoulder, and left wrist disabilities. The RO had initially assigned zero percent (noncompensable) evaluations, which were later changed to 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings are not well grounded. The evidence does not show a current hearing loss disability of the left ear, and his service-connected right knee and left knee disabilities do not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's claims for service connection for fatigue, joint pain, respiratory disorder, and bilateral knee disorder have been denied as they are not well-grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for left below the knee amputation and residuals of a gunshot wound, left thigh due to his failure to report for VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings of bilateral hearing loss, epicondylitis of the left elbow, and herpes simplex of the left knee area are denied as there is no evidence to warrant a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not well-grounded and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are well-grounded and have been granted. The conditions of sinusitis, left knee disorder, residuals of costochondritis (claimed as thoracic/low back pain), headaches, chest pain, fatigue, and memory loss are all considered to be related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for additional left knee disability resulting from VA treatment in May 1992 is granted under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, as it is likely that the osteomyelitis developed post-operatively and would not have been different even if timely follow-up had occurred.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee disorder status post laceration and fracture with limitation of motion was denied by the RO. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, schedule a VA examination, and readjudicate the issue.

The Board denied all claims of service connection for various conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a well-grounded claim for any of the listed issues.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred prior to August 1, 1993 is denied as he did not submit a valid claim and VA does not have the authority to reimburse him for prosthetic devices purchased without authorization.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy secondary to the veteran's service-connected malignant lymphoma and increased the rating for his right knee arthritis from noncompensable to 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability, characterized as 'status post-operative cruciate ligament reconstruction with partial lateral meniscectomy,' warrants a 30 percent rating due to severe impairment.

The veteran's service-connected right leg disability, including compartment syndrome and below knee amputation, is found to be so severe that it prevents him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for retropatellar pain syndrome of the left and right knees, as well as muscle strain of the mid-back. The RO increased their respective ratings from zero to ten percent.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current left knee disability to an injury during service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found insufficient evidence of a current right thigh hematoma or right knee disability and no link to service, thus denying the claim as not well grounded.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including upper respiratory infection and sinusitis, left knee strain, left ear disability, corneal abrasion of the right eye, low back strain, urinary tract infection, reaction to typhoid vaccination, and myopia. The initial evaluation for her service-connected panic disorder without agoraphobia is also denied.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes was denied as his disabilities did not meet the criteria for such a rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bursitis of the left knee and cystitis, finding that there was no evidence of limitation of motion or other objective signs to support a compensable evaluation.