Knee decisions — 2002

The Board has granted service connection for overuse syndrome of the right hip, knee, and ankle as secondary to the veteran's service-connected left below the knee amputation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his previous claim. The Board also noted that there was no clear evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the current condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disorders, as well as swelling of the left knee. The evidence did not show current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right knee was incurred during active duty, and service connection is granted. The veteran does not have current degenerative joint disease in his left ankle, right shoulder, or either hip.

The Board has determined that the RO's decision to reduce the veteran's evaluation for a right knee disorder from 20 percent to 10 percent was proper, based on evidence showing sustained material improvement under ordinary conditions of life. The preponderance of the evidence supports this reduction.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disability, finding no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service and concluding that any current right knee disorder is not related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's disabilities, including his left knee replacement and residuals of a cerebrovascular accident, render him unable to care for himself and perform tasks incident to daily living. The need for regular aid and attendance is established, granting special monthly pension benefits.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a hearing before the Board at the local RO and issuing a statement of the case on his claim for a compensable evaluation for chondromalacia of the left knee.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of May 16, 1994 for the veteran's award of TDIU and denied a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected partial ankylosis of the left ankle with post operative osteomyelitis of the left ankle and foot, status post graft.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected disabilities and entitlement to automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder and declined to grant TDIU due to the veteran's service-connected right knee and low back disorders.

The veteran's claims of increased ratings for L5 spondylolysis and right knee patella femoral syndrome were remanded by the Board. The RO is instructed to obtain medical records, conduct VA examinations, and readjudicate the issues.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee and leg disorder and a low back disorder, finding that these conditions are not related to his active duty service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a right knee disorder and granted it. The skin condition is also considered to be related to service.

The Board found no competent evidence to support the claim that the veteran's left knee disorder was caused by, or increased in severity due to, his service-connected right knee disability.

The veteran's claims for service connection for loss of sensation in the legs, headaches, and bilateral knee disorder were denied as not well grounded. The claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD from July 15, 1999 was also denied.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for low back disability. The veteran's left knee disorder is considered to have aggravated his low back condition, warranting a rating increase.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, and his right knee disability was granted a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a bilateral knee disability related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board determined that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disorder. The left knee disability was also reopened, but no increase in rating is granted.