Knee Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound of the abdomen are rated at 30 percent, effective from February 3, 1979. The left ankle fracture with arthritis is rated at 10 percent, effective from May 20, 1993. Osgood-Schlatter disease of the left knee remains rated at 10 percent.

The VA has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder warrants a 20 percent evaluation, effective from the date of his claim. The issue regarding an earlier effective date for this evaluation remains pending.

The Board has determined that the effective date for a 10 percent evaluation for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee is April 20, 2000.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a skin disorder, left knee disorder, hearing loss, gastrointestinal disorder, hypertension, and prostate dysfunction. The veteran's claims were based on direct service connection without any presumption or secondary theory.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee, finding that it is due to an injury sustained during active military service.

The Board found that the veteran's amputation of the left leg below the knee was not caused by VA treatment, and thus denied his claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current manifestations of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents, and for a right knee condition as secondary to the veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for chronic cervical spine, low back and right knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active military service. The veteran's headaches are rated at 10 percent since October 30, 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that there was no evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a left inguinal hernia secondary to the service-connected left femur and knee disability. The claim of an increased evaluation for residuals of a fracture of the left femur with traumatic arthritis of the left knee was granted, but only at a 20% rating effective May 18, 1999.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder was not caused by, proximately due to, or aggravated by his service-connected ligamentous strain of the right knee. The criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the ligamentous strain of the right knee have not been met.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a crush injury to both thighs is denied as there was no evidence linking the current knee problems to his in-service thigh injury.

The Board found that the reduction of the evaluation from 30 percent to 10 percent for postoperative anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction of the left knee was proper based on the findings at the February 1999 VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected hearing loss and left metatarsal bunionectomy with scar are rated at the minimum levels. The claim for a left knee disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or connection to service.

The veteran's case is being remanded for scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected right knee disability, as there is no evidence of arthritis or other conditions that would warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable as a result of his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disabilities do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.