Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include depression, and initial compensable disability ratings for right and left knee strains.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back disorders, finding no evidence of a nexus between current disabilities and service. The claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of fracture of the right index finger was granted with assignment of a 10% rating.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy, bursitis of the hips, and calf pain. The veteran's service-connected disabilities alone did not render him unemployable.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling an examination and obtaining medical records. The issues of service connection for multiple sclerosis, a compensable rating for the compression fracture of L1, and a greater than 10 percent disability rating for the left knee disorder are pending.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for arthritis in the left knee and hypertension were denied. The right knee arthritis claim was remanded.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left knee meniscus tear with osteoarthritis, hallux valgus of the left and right feet, hypertension, and pseudofolliculitis barbae with acne vulgaris. The conditions were found to not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for disorders of the arms, hands, feet, elbows, and knees as secondary to his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability was denied due to lack of evidence of treatment in service and no current diagnosis. Her claim for migraine headaches was granted as new evidence showed a chronic condition related to service.,Service connection is established for migraine headaches, but not for left or right knee disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and hip disorders as secondary to his service-connected right tibia/fibula fracture. The claim for service connection for a disorder of the lower back was granted.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD and left knee disability did not cause his death from cardiopulmonary arrest and cardiac arrhythmia. The Board found that the hypertension, which was diagnosed after discharge, was more likely than not essential in nature rather than secondary to PTSD.

The veteran's right knee disability is rated at 30 percent, and he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The temporary total disability rating for left ankle surgery has been granted until March 1, 2000. The veteran does not qualify for special monthly compensation due to lack of need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board found that the veteran's current right knee disorder is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disability warrants a 20 percent rating, effective as of the date of the July 1998 rating decision.

The veteran's bilateral knee and hip disorders are not service-connected. The Board found that the current diagnoses of these conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection, as they were not shown to be related to his military service or aggravated by a pre-existing condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a left leg disability, including knee and ankle disorders, finding that these disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The denial is based on a lack of credible evidence supporting the claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 10 percent for the veteran's left knee disability, effective May 3, 2004. A further increase to 20 percent was also granted effective May 9, 2005.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed as he did not submit a timely and adequate substantive appeal of the September 2002 rating decision.