Knee decisions — 2001

The veteran's service-connected tension and migraine headaches are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities were denied due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board denied increased ratings for the appellant's right and left knee disabilities, as well as service connection for a back disability secondary to his knees.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and compensation benefits, as well as his request for an effective date. The appeals were not successful.

The veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no medical evidence showing that the disability was incurred or aggravated during his period of active duty. The other claims were not addressed due to lack of information.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for PTSD, service connection for a left knee disorder and low back condition, as well as reopening of his hearing loss disorder claim. The decision is final.

The veteran's bilateral knee condition is service-connected and rated as noncompensable. The scars, right and left calves, residuals of shell fragment wounds are also rated as noncompensable. The veteran's tinnitus is not compensably disabling. The veteran's PTSD warrants a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's low back and right knee conditions do not warrant an increased rating or a separate compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim for additional development to determine if his service-connected left knee disorder aggravated his right knee disorder.

The Board found that the March 1956 rating decision did not involve clear and unmistakable error regarding service connection for left knee disability. The veteran's increased evaluation claim for traumatic arthritis of the left knee was denied as his current disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current conditions, including arthritis of the lumbar spine, arthritis of the left knee, and left shoulder impingement syndrome, are related to his military service. The decision grants service connection for these disabilities.

The VA denied service connection for a left knee disorder and did not reopen the PTSD claim due to lack of new evidence.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the hands, knees, and spine due to new evidence submitted. The case is being remanded for further development including obtaining treatment records from Dr. Durham and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for disability compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied due to a lack of evidence in the claims file, particularly clinical records from his hospitalization and outpatient treatment prior to August 20, 1997.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's right knee disability and a compensable evaluation for his residual shrapnel wound scars of the right hand.

The Board has determined that the RO's decision denying an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral knee trauma with residual pain is not final and requires further development before a determination can be made.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected psychophysiological musculoskeletal reaction involving the back, left knee and both thumbs is being remanded to allow for additional development of his case.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a shell fragment wound to the left knee, Muscle Groups XIV and XV, with retained foreign bodies is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The RO must arrange for VA examinations by orthopedists and neurologists to assess functional impairment and pain.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the veteran's claimed conditions and to adjudicate his increased rating claims. The RO must obtain all relevant medical records, arrange for appropriate examinations, and then consider the claims on their merits.

The veteran's disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, and he is employed as a lab director at a water treatment plant. Therefore, his claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes is denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, weakness of the left arm, headaches, residuals of a stress fracture of the left foot, right knee strain, and left ankle strain are denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.