Knee decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that the veteran's status post left arthroscopic medial meniscectomy for a medial meniscal tear of the left knee was incurred in active service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for mitral valve prolapse and irritable bowel syndrome are remanded for further development.

The veteran's skin disability, including chloracne, was not found to be service-connected due to exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for benefits related to the left below-the-knee amputation (BKA) was also denied as there is no evidence that VA treatment caused additional disability.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claims of service connection for left ankle and left knee disabilities, finding that new evidence supports these claims. The Board also determined that both conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased evaluation for chondromalacia patella, right knee. The decision is final as no rating was assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right shoulder disorders, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his previously denied claims.

The veteran died of a ruptured abdominal aneurysm. The Board found that the cause of death was not service-connected and denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of right knee osteoarthritis and service connection for left knee disorder and back disability secondary to right knee disability. The RO found that no higher rating was warranted based on the evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected knee disabilities do not warrant higher ratings based on instability or arthritis, and thus denied both issues.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for her service-connected chondromalacia of the left knee is being remanded due to the need for further examination and consideration of diagnostic codes based on loss of range of motion.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination to assess the severity of his condition and determine if he is entitled to a separate rating for arthritis.

The veteran's claim for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or special home adaptations is denied because he does not meet the criteria for such benefits under the law.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for secondary service connection for a right knee disorder and an increased rating for residuals of fracture of the left femur with shortening of the left lower extremity.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent right knee sprain, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for chorioretial atrophy of the eyes, and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine. The case is remanded to obtain updated medical records and conduct further examinations.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral knee conditions do not meet the criteria for reentrance into a program of vocational rehabilitation under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code.

The Board found that the veteran's compensation benefits were properly reduced to a 10% rating effective August 3, 1996 due to his incarceration for more than 60 days following conviction of a felony. The overpayment created by this reduction was not against equity and good conscience.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic right and left knee disabilities were incurred in service, while his mucocutaneous infection is not related to service.

The Board denied increased ratings for osteoarthritis/synovitis in the right knee and mild instability in the right knee, finding that the current ratings adequately reflect the veteran's disability.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for a permanent and total rating for nonservice-connected pension benefits, as well as his claim for service connection for PTSD. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical evaluations and information.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left knee and right thumb disabilities were denied as the current evaluations are already at their maximum allowable under VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the left knee, patellar shaving and partial medial meniscectomy based on limitation of motion.