Knee decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for discoid lupus erythematosus is not well-grounded and therefore denied. The claims for a compensable evaluation for right knee patellofemoral syndrome and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of rectal fistulectomy are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected hypertension, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board found that there was no evidence showing that the veteran's left above-the-knee amputation disability was caused by hospitalization or medical or surgical treatment provided by VA. The claim is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current right knee and right ankle disorders were not incurred during active service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's right knee disabilities, finding that the schedular criteria were not met.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The initial evaluations for his bilateral knee disabilities are also granted, with a rating of 10 percent each.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, and hearing loss. The decision also held that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disorder.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well grounded, and thus denied them.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is not well-grounded. The BVA found no evidence of a chronic left knee disability present in service or related to service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease.

The veteran's service connection claims for cardiac disorder, lymph node disorder, left ring finger disorder, left hand disorder, left elbow disorder, and left shoulder disorder were granted. The claim for left knee disorder was also granted as it resolved during service.

The Board has granted an extension of a temporary total convalescent rating through May 21, 1996 for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability. The preponderance of evidence supports this decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gastrointestinal bleeding, hypertension, bilateral knee replacement, diabetes mellitus, and headaches. The evidence did not establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and residuals of a neck injury due to lack of competent medical evidence showing these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral knee disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim.,The veteran was found ineligible for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to his short active duty period and discharge due to a non-service-connected condition.,The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability of right shoulder, right hip, and knees was denied as there was no evidence showing the disability resulted from VA medical treatment.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of a right total knee arthroplasty is not well grounded.

The veteran's request for an increased rating for postoperative residuals of meniscal repair of the right knee is being remanded due to a need for further examination and consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding no current objective medical evidence of such a condition and concluding that his assertions of current left knee disability were not well-grounded.

The Board denied all claims related to service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the ankles, knees, hips, and left arm; residuals of injury to the right upper arm; chronic bilateral ear infection; recurrent dislocation of the right (minor) shoulder disability; spurring of the lumbar spine with wedging of D-10; and traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine. The ratings for these conditions remain unchanged.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a hearing before the Board or a traveling member of the Board.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cold injury residuals of the left and right feet, and temporomandibular joint syndrome. The issues are therefore dismissed.