Knee decisions — 2000

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back conditions are not well grounded. The claim for an increased evaluation of residuals of a fractured left second toe was denied as there is no evidence of moderate disability warranting a 10% rating.

The veteran's appeal was denied by the RO in November 1998 for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected right knee condition. The case is now before the Board from the January 1995 rating decision which granted service connection and a 20 percent rating for the veteran's right knee condition, effective from October 10, 1993.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 30 percent for the service-connected right knee disorder, effective from April 1997. The veteran's bilateral foot and headache conditions are not found to be related to his service-connected right knee disorder.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected knee disabilities are denied due to the inability to obtain a current address and provide necessary VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's retropatellar pain syndrome of the right knee does not warrant a disability rating greater than 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening his service connection claim and for an increased rating for acne rosacea, finding that new evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen the claim or warrant a higher disability evaluation.

The Board denied increased ratings for impairment of the right knee (meniscectomy) and degenerative joint disease of the right knee, finding that the veteran's conditions did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disorders, finding that the current 10 percent ratings adequately reflect the level of disability based on pathology.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of left knee injury, finding no chronic condition and concluding that his current symptoms do not constitute a diagnosed medical disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disorder and right knee disorder are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link between any diagnosed conditions and military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee injury, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable disability rating based on the current findings and symptoms.

The veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected right knee disability was granted, with a 10 percent rating effective from September 20, 1995. The decision also noted that the RO had previously found a 10 percent rating based on limitation of motion under Diagnostic Code 5010 (arthritis) and a separate 10 percent rating for instability under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for knee disability and left eye disability due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for left and right knee disorders. The RO has not obtained all of the veteran's National Guard and Reserve medical records, which may be relevant to his claims.

The Board found no medical evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot and knee disorders, concluding that these conditions are not well-grounded.

The Board finds that there is competent medical evidence suggesting the veteran has bilateral shin splints and a bilateral knee disorder as a result of her service in the Army National Guard on active duty for training.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral tinea pedis and assigned a 10 percent rating. The veteran's claims for increased ratings for patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee and right knee are pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and residuals of a head injury are not well grounded. The claim for service connection for left knee disorder is well grounded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral knee arthritis, finding that the veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.