Knee decisions — 2000

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The gastrointestinal disorder is considered due to an undiagnosed illness, while the right wrist fracture and left knee disability are related to exposure to asbestos, hydraulic fuel, jet fuel, and synthetic oils. No new rating has been assigned as the appeal was reopened based on new evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia of the patella of the left knee and residuals of a back injury with cervical and lumbar myalgias, finding that the current evidence did not support higher ratings based on the degree of limitation of motion or instability.

The veteran's liver disability is rated at 50% for accrued benefits purposes, and his right hip and left knee disabilities are each rated at 10%. The claim of new and material evidence for the right knee disability has been granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claim that there was clear and unmistakable error in a January 1987 rating decision which granted service connection for right knee disability at zero percent disability level.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to incomplete development of the record, including a need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's lumbosacral strain, but denied increased evaluations for his right and left knee disabilities and status post cholecystectomy.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for VA examinations to assess the appellant's service-connected right spermatocele and left knee/thrombophlebitis.

The Board found that the left below knee amputation was not caused by the application of Unna boots by VA, and thus denied the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The veteran's disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, degenerative changes of the right knee, and an umbilical hernia, did not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment prior to February 28, 1995. As a result, his claim for pension benefits was denied as he did not meet the schedular requirements for assignment of a permanent and total disability rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disability is not well grounded as there was no medical evidence relating it to service or a service-connected condition. The claim for an increased rating for left knee strain with internal derangement and residuals of a fracture of the left tibia remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran was entitled to a restoration of a 20 percent evaluation for his left knee disability from July 1, 1997 to July 1, 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and diabetes mellitus are not related to his active duty service.,The right knee disability is considered not well-grounded as there is no competent medical evidence linking it to active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of secondary service connection for a right thigh disorder is not well-grounded. The claims for increased ratings for left knee, right knee, and left ankle disorders are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right elbow disorder and a left knee disorder, finding that there was no well-grounded evidence to support these claims.

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability, resulting in denial.

The veteran's service-connected right knee scar is currently evaluated as noncompensable due to lack of functional impairment. The Board has determined that a compensable evaluation is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disorders are not well grounded. The claim for an increased evaluation of lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is granted to a 20 percent rating based on moderate functional impairment.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for post operative traumatic arthritis of the right knee. The decision is being reviewed on grounds of clear and unmistakable error.

The Board found that the appellant's right knee disability, post-total knee replacement surgery, is currently rated at 30 percent and no higher based on the schedular criteria set forth under Diagnostic Code 5055. The appeal for a higher rating was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disability, which is rated at 20 percent, does not warrant a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.