Knee decisions — 2000

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO found that new evidence did not support reopening the claim for hypertension, and that there was no basis to grant increased ratings for his low back disability or gout.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, making it well grounded. The other issues on appeal will be addressed in the REMAND section.

The veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected right knee disability. The case has been remanded due to the need for a VA orthopedic examination and consideration of functional loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disorders, as well as condyloma acuminata, are not supported by the evidence of record. The current noncompensable ratings assigned for these conditions remain unchanged.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded, and thus cannot be granted.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating and service connection for her right knee synovitis and low back disorder were partially granted. Her right knee condition is now rated at 40% disabling, while the low back disorder claim was denied.

The Board denied reopening the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder secondary to his right foot amputation. The RO also denied increased evaluations for his right great toe and toes of the right foot, as these are at their maximum schedular ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, which includes arthritis and chondromalacia patella, is currently rated at 20 percent disabling. The evidence shows pain, swelling, crepitus, but no instability or severe impairment warranting a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, finding that his claims were not well-grounded and thus did not meet the initial burden of proof.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and residuals of cold injury to the hands are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link between service and these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of injuries to the big toes, knees, and back are denied as there is no competent evidence showing such conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, aortic stenosis, and bicuspid aortic valve (heart condition) and an initial noncompensable rating for the right knee disorder. The left knee disorder secondary to the right knee disorder is also addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the relationship between the appellant's service-connected rheumatic fever and his current arthritis.

The Board denied service connection for post traumatic stress disorder and residuals of a right knee fracture. The decision is final as the claim was previously denied in April 1997.

The veteran's left knee disability, which is currently rated as 10 percent disabling for chondromalacia and arthritis, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection of residuals of a left knee injury, head injury, and shoulder injury are not well-grounded. The appellant's left shoulder condition is found to be due to an in-service injury.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected post-operative residuals of a total right knee replacement was denied by the RO. The Board found that additional development is needed to determine if there are any functional loss due to pain and other factors.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for traumatic arthritis of the left knee. The reopened claim is granted based on a medical opinion suggesting that the current condition may be related to injuries sustained during service.

The Board has restored a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected right knee chondromalacia from February 1, 1970 to June 15, 1997.

The veteran's initial evaluations for his low back disorder and right knee disorders have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.