Knee decisions — 2001

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's right knee disability, currently rated at 60 percent.

The veteran's service-connected right knee disability resulted in a temporary total convalescent rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30, but the evidence did not support such a rating due to his ability to return to work without restrictions.

The RO granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's medial meniscus tear of the right knee, effective June 7, 1996.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his post-operative left knee trauma residuals, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various joint disorders, including a low back disorder, left knee disorder, bilateral wrist and ankle disorders, as well as chronic pain in multiple joints. The RO also denied her increased rating claim for her right knee disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, bilateral knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability due to lack of evidence showing a relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to increased ratings for PTSD from January 15, 1998 to March 26, 2000 (to a maximum of 30 percent), but not beyond. The veteran's PTSD was found to be manifested by mild symptoms before March 27, 2000 and moderate symptoms thereafter.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher disability evaluations for various musculoskeletal and hearing disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation was denied in January 1996. The appellant received accrued benefits based on the VA's calculation of $2,073.00 for a period from March 1997 to March 1999.

The veteran's claim for service connection for left knee total arthroplasty is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and special monthly compensation were granted, with the right shoulder disability rated at 70 percent disabling and the left knee instability rated as a separate condition.

The Board denied increased ratings for bilateral pes planus, left knee chondromalacia, and right knee chondromalacia as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection due to undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations for his left and right knee disabilities, finding that they did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the left knee disability or a 10 percent evaluation for the right knee disability.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a left below knee amputation, which he claims is secondary to his already service-connected left great toe fracture with chronic osteomyelitis. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development and compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the veteran's postoperative right knee medial meniscus tear is related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of his right knee arthritis, including as secondary to left knee arthritis, and also denied a temporary total evaluation for treatment of his right knee.

The veteran's claim for a temporary total rating of 100 percent based on the need for convalescence following surgery in March 1999 is granted. The surgery was performed to treat his service-connected low back disability, and he required at least one month of recuperation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence. The veteran was previously denied in March 1961, and no new evidence has been submitted since then.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a left knee disability. Resolving all doubt in favor of the veteran, the Board finds that his current left knee disability is related to his active service.