Knee decisions — 2001

The VA denied the veteran's request for an increased rating for his left knee disability, currently rated at 30 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptoms and medical findings.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left knee disorder is not due to an injury incurred during a period of active or inactive duty for training, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right knee disability does not warrant a compensable rating due to lack of functional impairment.

The veteran's pension benefits were reduced due to his receipt of Social Security disability benefits, effective June 1, 1996. The Board found that the reduction was proper based on the law and not disputed by evidence.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for postoperative residuals of right knee chondromalacia, with traumatic arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The VA determined that the appellant's right knee disability, which includes arthritis and an ACL injury, does not warrant a rating higher than the current 10 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's rating of 20 percent was in effect for less than five years and thus applied provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.344(c). The most recent examination report showed improvement, warranting a reduction to 10 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including knee disabilities, PTSD, urinary tract disorders, sarcoidosis, and scars. The reasons are not provided in this text.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus, 20 percent for post-operative residuals of a fracture of the left wrist, and 10 percent for post-operative residuals of a right medial meniscectomy.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected bilateral knee condition was denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Board denied service connection for chronic joint pain, memory loss, and dizziness as manifestations of an undiagnosed illness due to lack of current medical evidence demonstrating these conditions.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 6, 1991 for the grant of a 30% evaluation for TDIU due to left knee disability.

The veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for arthralgia of the right knee, post-total right knee replacement was denied as there was insufficient evidence in his claims file at the date of his death to establish the level of his right knee disability.

The veteran's residuals of a right medial meniscectomy are manifested by severe instability, warranting a 30% evaluation. His traumatic arthritis of the right knee is currently evaluated at 10%, with no evidence of greater limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease is related to his military service. The VA will attempt to obtain any relevant medical records, including those from Fort Dix Army Hospital.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities are denied as there is no evidence to support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim and found that new evidence supports a connection between his service injury and his current left knee disorder. However, the Board determined that this connection is not sufficient to grant service connection due to conflicting medical opinions.

The veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of a left knee injury are currently rated at 10 percent effective August 10, 2000. A separate rating for arthritis of the left knee is also granted.

The veteran's disabilities, including coronary artery disease, right total knee replacement, and varicose vein disease, are severe enough to warrant special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has denied both claims for increased ratings, finding that the current evaluations adequately reflect the clinically established impairments experienced by the veteran.