Knee decisions — 2001

The Board denied an increased rating for a left knee disorder, finding that the current clinical findings do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD effective April 12, 1993 and denied service connection for right knee disability. The veteran withdrew his appeal on the issue of right knee disability prior to the issuance of the decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including verification of stressors claimed by the appellant.

The Board has determined that there is no confirmed diagnosis of right ankle, right knee, or left elbow disabilities. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The veteran's claim for a temporary total disability evaluation due to her right knee condition was denied as she did not meet the criteria under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knees were denied. The RO found that the current 20% and 10% disability evaluations for the right and left knee, respectively, are appropriate based on the schedular criteria.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, finding that there was no objective evidence of limitation of motion or other compensable symptoms.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a right leg injury, claimed as right knee disorder, and hearing loss disability. The evidence did not show that he currently had these disabilities or their relationship to his military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability and granted it as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date prior to February 23, 1993 for service connection of his right knee, hip, and shoulder disorders secondary to a left knee disorder.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, effective from August 1998.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 10, 1999, for a total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied as his employment during the relevant period did not meet the criteria for marginal employment.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA audiological examination.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current back, right knee, and right ankle disorders and his military service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has granted a temporary total convalescent rating for the period from November 22, 1996 to January 31, 1997 based on right knee surgery. The veteran's service-connected right knee disorder is currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee disability is being remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for additional medical evidence. The RO must ensure all notification and development actions required by the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 are completed.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right toe disorder, back disorder, and right shoulder disorder. The claim for bilateral knee disability was granted with a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the appellant withdrew it before a decision was made.

The VA determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right knee warrants a 10 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor could it be presumed to have been so incurred.