Knee Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability is appropriately rated as 30 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5260 (limitation of flexion) and granted a separate 10 percent rating for limitation of extension, resulting in a total evaluation of 40 percent.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's right knee disability, currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The veteran's initial ratings for a right knee disability were granted, with the effective dates ranging from January 25, 1994 to May 23, 1999. The RO increased the rating to 10% in February 2000 and again in August 2001. However, no higher ratings are warranted for any period of time.

The Board denied service connection for emphysema, a psychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety and depression), and arthritis of the joints. The veteran's claims were not supported by competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's left knee disability does not warrant more than a 20 percent evaluation on the basis of instability and subluxation. The remaining claims are addressed in the remand that follows.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than February 18, 1988 for a grant of a total disability evaluation. The veteran was granted service connection for right below-the-knee amputation but not for other conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any current disabilities for which service connection is warranted, including those claimed as residuals of a left knee injury, loss of balance, poor memory due to a damaged lymphatic nerve, a hernia, a hearing disorder, poor eyesight, the residuals of a back injury, and a shoulder disability. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient medical records and scheduling a VA orthopedic examination to assess the severity of the veteran's service-connected left knee and right ankle disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a skin disorder, bilateral hip and knee disorders, and bilateral ankle disorders due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left knee disability and service connection for vision focus problems, sleep loss, and short-term memory loss. The veteran's conditions were not found to be related to service or undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss and right knee disorder. The veteran did not timely file a Substantive Appeal regarding the denial of left ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, hypertension, and heart disease. The RO found that there was no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right ankle or knee disability during service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance, entitling him to special monthly compensation. He also meets criteria for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment assistance.

The Board denied the veteran's earlier effective date claim for service connection for limitation of motion of the mandible. The RO granted service connection and initial ratings for sinusitis, headaches, and chondromalacia of the left knee on April 30, 1996, which is considered the effective date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected hypertension, right knee instability, right knee degenerative joint disease, peeling feet (dermatophytosis, tinea unguium, and tinea pedis), and lumbosacral strain.

The veteran's increased evaluation claims for his left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions are not presumed to be due to herbicide exposure, and he does not have a service-connected disability.