Knee decisions — 2000

The Board found that the appellant's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for aggravation of osteoarthritis of the right knee was not well-grounded and denied the claim.

The Board finds that the clinical evidence on file shows symptoms most nearly approximating a 20 percent evaluation for dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, to include degenerative joint disease (DJD), was not well grounded due to lack of competent medical evidence linking his current right knee condition to his period of active duty service. The claim for an increased rating for chronic synovitis of the left knee is also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral varicose veins and chondromalacia of both knees do not warrant increased ratings under current VA rating criteria.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for fatigue and sleep disturbance, generalized muscle pain, and joint pain of the elbows, left knee, hips, back, hands, and fingers as they are not well-grounded due to lack of objective evidence supporting these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a psychiatric disability other than PTSD, right ear hearing loss, gastritis, and muscle tension/migraine headaches have not been well grounded. The claim for low back sprain has been granted with a 20% rating, while the claim for right knee disability has been granted with a 10% rating.

The Board denied extensions of temporary total disability ratings for periods following surgeries for right knee disorder due to lack of evidence showing severe postoperative residuals or incapacitation.

The veteran's nicotine dependence and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety) are found to be related to his service-connected coronary arteriosclerosis. His bronchitis is not currently shown, but he has been granted service connection for arthritis of the right index finger. The other claims have either been denied or require further development.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that there is no evidence to support the claim for service connection for a chronic right knee disability, as the medical evidence does not show an increase in severity during service or any aggravation.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a bilateral knee disability are denied as not well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and a compensable evaluation for shell fragment wound scars of the left leg, to include the left knee. The claim for service connection was found not well-grounded due to lack of evidence linking current disability to military service. The claim for residuals of shell fragment wounds was denied as there were no indications of impaired function or tender/painful scarring.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right knee conditions do not warrant a higher initial evaluation, as they are currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee and an increased evaluation for his skin condition, ichthyosis with dyshidrosis.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected low back strain and right quadriceps atrophy with knee disability.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board had no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claim.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral varicose veins as secondary to his right knee disability was not well grounded. The claims for increased evaluations were denied as there was no evidence showing that the disabilities had worsened beyond what was contemplated by the current ratings.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left hip arthralgia, left knee disability, and temporomandibular joint syndrome. The conditions were found to not meet criteria for higher ratings based on current medical findings.

The veteran is seeking an increased disability rating for his service-connected left knee disability, which includes a fracture of the left femur and chronic arthritis. The RO has ordered additional development to obtain recent medical records from VA facilities.

The Board granted an increased evaluation of 30 percent for chronic sinusitis with status post ethmoidectomy effective February 28, 1996. The veteran's right knee patella femoral pain syndrome was also granted a compensable evaluation.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the original rating decision that assigned a 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a gun shot wound to the right knee. The injury was considered a moderate deep penetrating wound, warranting a 10 percent disability rating.