Knee decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected postoperative right knee disorder warrants a 10 percent rating, which is the current assigned disability rating.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has determined that the veteran does not have a current left knee disability and therefore, service connection for this condition as secondary to his service-connected right knee dislocation is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle condition and a right knee condition are not well-grounded due to lack of medical evidence of current disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus and a right knee disability, to include arthritis, finding that there is no competent evidence relating these conditions to his period of active service.

The veteran's left knee disorder has been rated at 10 percent since March 1995. The RO is instructed to review the claims folder and ensure that all development actions have been completed, including requesting additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination for the veteran's left knee disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right ankle disability, and right knee disability. The decision also found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right leg disabilities, as well as a psychiatric disability, are not well grounded. The evaluations assigned to his service-connected back disability have been increased.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a left knee disability, finding that April 29, 1997 is the earliest date entitlement arose.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 10 percent for the veteran's right and left knee disabilities, with a combined rating of 20 percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities include multiple injuries from shrapnel wounds and other conditions. The RO denied his claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to these disabilities, citing the veteran's employment history and vocational rehabilitation status. The case is being remanded for further examination and review.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for post-operative left knee injury residuals. The veteran's claim is well-grounded, and he is entitled to a VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of his post-operative left knee injury residuals.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative changes of the left knee with calcification of the proximal tibia, finding that the disability warranted only a 10 percent rating.

The Board granted the appellant's claims for service connection for a headache disorder and an increase in evaluation for his PTSD. The right knee and left knee disabilities are not well-grounded as there is no evidence of current disability.

The veteran's claim for PTSD was granted. The claim for left knee disability, secondary to service-connected low back disability, is not well-grounded. The claim for an increased evaluation of the low back disability remains denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of a right knee injury. The Board also found that the veteran is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected left knee, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected right knee disability, diagnosed as Pellegrini-Stieda disease, does not warrant a higher rating based on current clinical findings and x-rays showing mild to moderate degenerative changes.

The veteran's claim for service connection for athlete's foot was granted, and the effective date of his award for bilateral knee disabilities, sebaceous cyst of the right axillary, status post chicken pox with scarring, and tinnitus is set at August 29, 1995.

The veteran's low back disorder is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, effective from May 4, 1995. Service connection has been granted for PTSD and seizure disorder.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as his claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to complications from spinal anesthesia in July 1994.