Knee decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation for residuals of a left knee injury sustained during a VA Domiciliary admission in February 1998, finding that it was not service-connected and thus not compensable.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 30 percent for the veteran's right knee disability, effective from the date of the February 1995 rating decision. The appeal is based on the service-connected nature of the condition and not due to any new evidence or a change in circumstances.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a skin disease and granted an increased rating for the right knee disability. The claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and compensable evaluations for his left knee, second metacarpal, thumb, and ankle disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The veteran was also not granted a compensable evaluation for his left ankle disability.

The veteran's combined disability evaluation for his service-connected disabilities was granted at 60 percent prior to January 27, 1999. The Board found that the correct combined evaluation at the time in question was 60 percent and denied a higher evaluation.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence, but it is not well-grounded as there is no credible evidence showing that his current varus deformity of the right knee was incurred in or aggravated by military service.

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

Your chronic left knee disorder with arthroscopic surgery resolving and cartilage removal is rated at 30 percent since April 23, 1992.,Since May 4, 1999, your medial compartment degenerative changes of the left knee are rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection on multiple issues, finding that the evidence did not support a grant of service connection in any of these areas.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and left foot bunion disabilities were denied as there was no evidence of the required functional loss or impairment due to pain.

The Board has determined that a higher evaluation is warranted for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, as a 10 percent rating is the highest allowable under Diagnostic Code 5259. The claim for increased evaluation of traumatic arthritis in the left knee is granted.

The veteran's service-connected right knee disorder does not currently result in any limitation of motion, instability, or subluxation. The RO has assigned a 10 percent rating for the condition based on pain affecting normal use of the knee.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability in January 1998, finding that the preponderance of evidence showed an acute episode without residual. The veteran's asthma claim was remanded to the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no medical evidence linking his hip condition to his service-connected disabilities. The knee and wrist conditions were also found not well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left ankle disorders are well grounded. The issues of rating greater than 10 percent disabling for herniated disc at L5-S1 and residuals of a right knee injury have been granted.

The veteran's claims for increased rating, special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the right lower extremity, and financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance were all denied. The denial is based on the current ratings already assigned to his service-connected conditions.

The veteran's service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, lumbar muscle sprain, and residuals of a fracture of the right fifth finger have been granted increased ratings. The effective date for these increases is June 2, 1995.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee condition, following his total knee replacement surgery, does not warrant a higher rating than 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for left foot and left knee disorders, finding no current diagnosable disability.

The veteran's current arthritis of the hips, knees, right ankle, elbows and shoulders is due to service-connected shrapnel wounds. The claim for service connection has been granted.