Knee decisions — 2001

The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for the left knee disorder or a rating in excess of 10 percent for COPD. The veteran's disabilities were rated appropriately based on their current manifestations.

The Board has determined that a 30 percent rating is warranted for the veteran's right knee disability, and service connection for a low back disorder as secondary to his right knee disability is granted.

The veteran's schizophrenia is rated at 50% disabling, his bilateral hearing loss at 10% disabling, and his left knee disability at 20% disabling. The appeals for increased evaluations are granted.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's left knee disability, finding that it is currently manifested by no more than occasional slight limitation of extension and limited flexion to at most 90 degrees.

The Board found no medical evidence of a currently diagnosed right knee disorder that is related to military service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

Both the right wrist and right knee disabilities are currently rated at 10% due to their respective limitations in motion and associated pain. No additional factors warranting higher ratings have been identified.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed right and left knee disorders are not related to his military service, leading to a denial of his claims.

The appellant has additional disability, namely a right below knee amputation, that resulted from VA medical treatment rendered in July 1989. The Board finds there was a causal relationship between the cardiac catheterization performed by VA and the subsequent development of ischemia in the right foot and leg.

The Board has determined that the RO's decisions denying service connection for PTSD and right knee injury, as well as the TDIU claim, are not in compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development and consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for various service-connected conditions, including osteoarthritis of the right knee, bilateral hearing loss disability, PTSD, chronic sinusitis, and appendectomy residuals. The RO found that these conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his shell fragment wounds of the chin and right hand, as well as service connection for a left knee disability. The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his shell fragment wound of the left arm was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hearing loss with tinnitus, cataracts of both eyes, and right knee disability, to include arthritis. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after separation, and that the current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tendonitis of the right hand and chondrocalcinosis of the right knee, each rated at 10 percent disabling from November 1, 1996.

The veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 12, 1991, for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied. The earliest date as of which it was factually ascertainable that entitlement to this benefit had occurred is January 12, 1991.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for bilateral pes planus and service connection for back, ankle, and knee disabilities secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that the evidence submitted was not new and material.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a shrapnel wound to the left knee is granted.

The RO granted service connection for residuals of neck and low back injuries, but denied service connection for a right knee disability. The RO also granted noncompensable ratings for the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for a left knee disorder and a skin disorder. Further development is needed before these claims can be decided.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with a 10 percent evaluation assigned for residuals of fracture of the left ankle. Service connection was denied for low back disorder and warts of the extremities.