Knee decisions — 2002

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for left knee injury and right wrist disability, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and right knee disorder are not service-connected.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for various musculoskeletal conditions have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right knee injury and degenerative arthritis, finding that the veteran's service medical records are void as to treatment or diagnosis of any knee injuries. The Board concluded that while an in-service injury occurred, there is no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptoms during or immediately after service.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral knee disability was not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim.

The veteran's service-connected lumbar plexopathy with right sacroiliac posterior dislocation is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has determined that a 60 percent rating is warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities are related to his service-connected low back disability, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various manifestations of undiagnosed illnesses, including dizziness, headaches, joint pain, and memory loss. The decision also noted that the veteran's left knee disability was rated based on its current severity rather than pre-service impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee, low back, migraine headaches, gynecological disorder (claimed as a female condition), and bowel disorder were not incurred or aggravated during her active service. The current conditions are considered to be unrelated to any incidents of service.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for the veteran's right knee disability, effective from February 23, 1999. The left knee disability is rated at a noncompensable level.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis as secondary to his right knee disorder and denied his requests for increased ratings for his right knee disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that the veteran's current hepatitis or right knee disorders were related to military service.

The VA has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's left knee disability, but denied entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder and temporary total evaluations for surgical treatment of the right knee.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability, which is currently rated at 20 percent, does not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee postoperative torn medial meniscus and traumatic arthritis, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The veteran was found to have moderate recurrent lateral instability in his left knee and mild degenerative changes with effusion.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support ratings higher than the current ones.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities, finding that the current manifestations do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board granted a 40 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected gunshot wound to the back, including damage to Muscle Group XX. The claim for an increased rating for left knee disability other than a service-connected left knee scar was remanded for further development.