Knee decisions — 2001

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disorder due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for knee disorder, sinusitis, and tinnitus. The claim for an initial compensable rating for low back pain with sciatica was also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his low back and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence does not support a rating higher than 20 percent for the low back disability or a rating higher than 10 percent for the right knee disability.

The Board denied an increased rating for the appellant's left knee disability, currently rated at 10 percent. The evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Glenwood Regional Medical Center on December 14, 1998 were not for a service-connected disability and thus payment or reimbursement is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, including tenosynovitis. The issue was remanded due to insufficient evidence and further development is required.

The veteran seeks an effective date earlier than April 17, 1996 for service connection of his left knee disability. The RO granted this claim in February 1999 with a 10% evaluation.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's left knee disability, which includes pain and tenderness from the retained foreign body. The condition does not meet criteria for higher ratings due to lack of objective clinical evidence of instability or other functional impairment.

The Board has not determined whether new and material evidence was received to reopen claims for service connection for PTSD, cancer of the bladder, low back disability, left knee disability secondary to right knee disability, or arthritis of both hands. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a right knee meniscectomy remains pending.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied across multiple issues, including cervical spine, left knee, right radius fracture, jaw injury with TMJ syndrome, and hip fractures. The RO assigned initial non-compensable ratings in June 1991 and revised them to 10 percent effective April 22, 1992.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his right knee disability is denied. He was previously awarded a 20 percent rating for the period prior to December 8, 1998 and a 30 percent rating from February 1, 2000.

The Board has granted a 30% evaluation for the veteran's right knee disability, which includes instability and ligamentous laxity. The left knee issue remains pending as secondary to the right knee condition.

The veteran's positive tuberculosis test was not incurred in service. Service connection for bilateral knee disability and fibrocystic adenosis is denied as the claims are not well grounded. The veteran's service-connected mitral valve prolapse and low back disability have been granted with initial evaluations of 10% each, effective June 12, 1997.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues are about increased ratings for his right knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various claimed disabilities due to insufficient evidence or further development is needed.

The veteran's right leg disorder and low back disorder are service-connected due to aggravation of pre-existing conditions. The skull injury claim is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 12, 1996 for service connection for status post left knee replacement. The evidence did not support a finding that the veteran had filed a claim for this condition earlier.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ear hearing loss, left knee disability, and low back sprain. The RO had previously granted service connection for these conditions but did not find them related to active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right knee injury as there was no right knee injury in service and no diagnosis within one year after termination of active duty.