Knee Board decisions

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected right fibula and tibia disability, finding that a higher rating was not warranted. The Board also found no separate compensable ratings were warranted for the right ankle or leg length shortening.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for bilateral knee disorder, right eye disorder, and scabies. The veteran's current evidence is sufficient to establish that he had a history of scabies in service but no current disability attributable to it.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for residuals of a fractured left leg, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disorder, including arthritis, and arthritis of left knee, cervical spine, and lumbar spine were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim was denied as there is no evidence showing arthritis within one year after separation from service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and granted a 20 percent rating for right femoral neuropathy. The claim for increased ratings for left knee residuals was also denied.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for bilateral varicose veins, and the veteran's right ankle and knee disabilities are rated at their maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for instability of the right knee anterior cruciate ligament, finding that the current 30 percent rating is the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left knee degenerative joint disease and ligamentous and meniscal tears, as well as right knee degenerative joint disease. The RO assigned a separate rating of 20 percent for ligamentous and meniscal tears of the left knee.

The veteran withdrew their appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left knee, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for overuse syndrome of the right hip, knee, and ankle as secondary to the veteran's service-connected left below the knee amputation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his previous claim. The Board also noted that there was no clear evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the current condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disorders, as well as swelling of the left knee. The evidence did not show current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right knee was incurred during active duty, and service connection is granted. The veteran does not have current degenerative joint disease in his left ankle, right shoulder, or either hip.

The Board has determined that the RO's decision to reduce the veteran's evaluation for a right knee disorder from 20 percent to 10 percent was proper, based on evidence showing sustained material improvement under ordinary conditions of life. The preponderance of the evidence supports this reduction.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disability, finding no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service and concluding that any current right knee disorder is not related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's disabilities, including his left knee replacement and residuals of a cerebrovascular accident, render him unable to care for himself and perform tasks incident to daily living. The need for regular aid and attendance is established, granting special monthly pension benefits.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a hearing before the Board at the local RO and issuing a statement of the case on his claim for a compensable evaluation for chondromalacia of the left knee.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of May 16, 1994 for the veteran's award of TDIU and denied a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected partial ankylosis of the left ankle with post operative osteomyelitis of the left ankle and foot, status post graft.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected disabilities and entitlement to automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only.