Knee decisions — 2002

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as no new and material evidence was submitted to reopen his previously denied claim.

The Board found that the veteran does not have degenerative arthritis of the knees, thighs, pelvis or back that was caused or aggravated by his service, or by a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not submit a well-grounded claim for service connection for chronic right knee disorder, right ankle disorder, or acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for higher disability evaluations based on his knee conditions.

The VA has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected shell fragment wound of the left knee, effective from January 19, 2000.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee condition was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to his service-connected left knee disability. Therefore, service connection for a right knee condition was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left above-the-knee amputation is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee arthritis and right knee disorder, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disability.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left knee disorder was incurred during his active duty for training and grants service connection.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for left knee arthritis and denied service connection for a right knee disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, thoracic spine disorder, and left knee disorder due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected knee disabilities and tinea versicolor, as well as a TDIU rating. The veteran's combined service-connected disability rating was found to be 40 percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in substantial and gainful employment compatible with his education and work experience. Therefore, the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are not met.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that the right knee disorder did not contribute substantially or materially to his death from respiratory disorder.

The Board has determined that the appellant's right knee disability and low back disability are related to service, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the claimant. The claims for service connection are therefore granted.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected left knee arthrotomy, finding that his disability did not meet the criteria for such an increase.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the veteran's post-operative meniscectomy right knee with arthritis, effective from February 28, 2000.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for hypertension with vascular heart disease and residuals of a right knee injury, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims based on her reserve/National Guard service.