Knee decisions — 2000

The VA denied an increased disability rating for the veteran's service-connected right knee internal derangement, finding that it did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's claims are being remanded to the RO for an appropriate hearing before a traveling Member of the Board. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The VA has denied an increased evaluation for the appellant's left knee disability, currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic left knee disorder is as likely as not related to his military service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board determined that the veteran's left knee disorder did not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an extra-schedular evaluation for his right knee disabilities, finding that the current ratings adequately account for his symptoms and limitations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability does not warrant an increased rating beyond 20 percent, and his claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability and specially adapted housing or home adaptation grant are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a 20% disability evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, service connection for PTSD, and increased rating for postoperative residuals of bilateral varicose veins. The veteran was granted a temporary total disability rating for PTSD based on hospitalization from November 22, 1993 to January 24, 1994.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to an in-service injury and concluding that the claim is not well-grounded.

The veteran's residuals of a shell fragment wound with total right knee arthroplasty are rated at 60 percent, the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 5055. The disability is characterized by severe pain on motion and moderate functional impairment in employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting right knee disability was aggravated by service, and thus grants service connection for his current right knee condition including arthritis.

The veteran's appeal to have the September 9, 1977 rating decision for right knee disability deemed clearly and unmistakably erroneous was dismissed as he did not file a timely Substantive Appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and a disability of the right knee, as well as his requests for initial compensable ratings for chronic bronchitis, right thumb and ring finger fracture residuals, and left wrist fracture residuals. The veteran's request for Chapter 35 dependent's educational assistance was also not addressed.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability due to insufficient evidence in the claims folder, including missing service medical records.

The veteran is seeking an increased disability rating for his service-connected left knee disorder, currently rated at 10 percent. The VA has determined that a more recent examination and clarification of the RO's decision are necessary before further appellate review can be conducted.

The veteran's disabilities, including emphysema and hypertension, do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes based on their severity or combined effect.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected patellofemoral syndrome of both knees, finding that there was no evidence to support a higher rating based on functional loss or weakness due to pain.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability and determine the nature and etiology of any left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected unstable left knee joint is denied, as the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes. The issue of entitlement to an extraschedular evaluation remains pending.

The VA has granted a 10 percent disability evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, effective from October 31, 1997.