Knee decisions — 2001

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee retropatellar pain syndrome and right wrist de Quervain's syndrome, finding that there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The RO denied the veteran's request to re-open his claim for service connection for his left knee condition.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and assigned a 10 percent disability evaluation. Service connection was denied for chronic back pain and bilateral knee disorder.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a disability of the right and left knees based on new evidence submitted since the previous denial.

The veteran's service-connected left knee disability, including migraines and arthritis, was granted. The veteran also received a separate rating for his arthritis and an initial evaluation of 10 percent for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, including as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange, and entitlement to an increased initial rating for service-connected right knee disability due to incomplete development of records.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability warrants a 20 percent evaluation for postoperative residuals, but does not meet criteria for an additional 10 percent rating for arthritis.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee injury with degenerative meniscus was denied by the RO. The RO later granted a compensable evaluation of 20 percent effective March 9, 1998.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a left knee disability, which is now granted.

The veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100 percent rating from February 7, 1996 through May 17, 2000. The left knee disability is rated at 10 percent since April 18, 1998. The left hand disability is rated at 10 percent. The scars of the chest and right knee are rated at 10 percent each.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that new evidence did not warrant reopening his claims. The left knee arthritis was rated at 10 percent, while the right knee disorder and flat feet were denied.

The veteran's service-connected knee disabilities were evaluated based on the severity of his symptoms and range of motion, with no significant instability or subluxation noted. The ratings have been adjusted to reflect changes in disability status.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back strain is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right knee disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's PTSD is granted as incurred in wartime service. Service connection for bilateral flatfoot and secondary knee disabilities are granted, with a rating of 10% for the bilateral flatfoot.

The Board found no current medical evidence of a left knee, right ankle, or left ankle disorder. The veteran's service records do not show any ongoing issues with his knees and ankles post-service. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for malaria was granted. The claims for service connection and increased ratings for other conditions remain pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a respiratory disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, vision loss, and a right knee disability. The appeals were decided on their merits without any presumption or reopening of records.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of a left knee injury, status post arthroscopy. The RO had previously granted service connection and assigned a zero percent rating effective July 20, 1994.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and to reopen his service connection claims, maintaining that new evidence did not warrant reopening of the right ankle and knee disability claims, and denying a left knee disability claim. The low back disability was rated at 20 percent.