Knee Board decisions

The case is being remanded for further development and a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 9, 1995 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as he failed to report without good cause.,The veteran's increased rating claim for PTSD was denied due to his failure to appear at a scheduled VA examination.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent for the service-connected low back disability on and after January 15, 2003. The veteran's right knee arthritis is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's left knee disability, which includes limitation of flexion and extension, as well as recurrent instability. The other requested ratings are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder, including arthritis, was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not otherwise related to service. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for his right shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in service or due to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or adaptive equipment only.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for right and left knee disabilities. The hearing loss claim remains denied as there is no showing of hearing loss during or after service, nor can it be presumed due to noise exposure. The knee disorder claim was previously denied in 1947 but new evidence has been submitted that may support reopening the claim.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability, manifested by arthritis with pain on use and restricted flexion during flare-ups, does not warrant a higher evaluation as his range of motion is within normal limits for a 20 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability and denied his claim for an increased rating for dermatitis. The skin condition resulted in painful lesions affecting less than 5% of exposed areas, requiring only topical creams.

The Board found no evidence of a current bilateral knee disability and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder, right knee disorder, hypertension, tuberculosis, and psychiatric disorder. The veteran's claims were not supported by competent evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and his military service.

The veteran's service-connected conditions were granted with noncompensable ratings. The Board remanded the case to ensure proper notice and assistance, but no further actions are required as the veteran has received all intended benefits of VCAA.

The Board found that the veteran's medical conditions did not meet the criteria for aid and attendance benefits, leading to their termination as of May 31, 2001.

The Board has denied service connection for hip, knee, and ankle disabilities as not currently demonstrated or shown. The veteran's claims have been reopened due to submission of new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee strain and denied the claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right ankle tendonitis and an initial compensable evaluation for right hip trochanteric bursitis.,Right ankle tendonitis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board denied the reopening of a previously denied knee disability claim and upheld the current rating for low back disorder. The veteran's knee issues were not substantiated by new evidence, while his low back disorder was evaluated at its current level.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound involving the right lower knee and right lower extremity neuralgia warrant a 10 percent evaluation each, as there is no evidence to support higher ratings.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for patellofemoral chondromalacia and right knee instability are being remanded to the RO for further development.

The Board found that the veteran's back and right knee disabilities are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.