Knee Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and/or adaptive equipment due to his inability to use a vehicle with a clutch.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and back disorder, both secondary to the veteran's service-connected left knee disorder. The original disability rating for residuals of an injury to the left knee with lateral meniscus tear was granted at 20%, but the effective date for this benefit is still pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, does not warrant a higher evaluation based on additional limitation of motion or pain. The current rating adequately reflects the severity of the disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, citing his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The veteran's death was attributed to a cerebrovascular accident due to cerebrovascular disease, with coronary artery disease as a significant contributing factor. The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of death, finding that stress from his service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the knees and arteriosclerotic heart disease, finding that these conditions are not due to or aggravated by service-connected rheumatic fever.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected left knee osteoarthritis and postoperative residuals of a left knee anterior cruciate ligament injury, finding that they did not warrant an increased rating based on their current manifestations.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee pain, but denied service connection for shin splints. The veteran's bilateral knee conditions are presumed to be related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right wrist, right knee, and left knee disabilities do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent since service connection was established.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a serious employment handicap due to his service-connected left knee disability, and therefore, he is not entitled to additional vocational rehabilitation under Chapter 31 of the U.S. Code.

The VA determined that a rating in excess of 10 percent for traumatic arthritis of the left knee is not warranted based on the current evidence.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the service-connected left knee disability and a 10 percent rating for the service-connected right knee disability, effective September 7, 1999. The veteran's earlier effective date claim for these ratings is denied.

The veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is rated at 60 percent, the maximum available rating under Diagnostic Code 5293 for pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome. The other conditions are not granted as service connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee impairment and skin rash of the groin area do not warrant evaluations in excess of 10 percent, as there is no evidence of more than mild impairment or disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for mechanical low back pain, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, and status post anterior cruciate ligament repair in the right knee are denied as there is no evidence to support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's service connection claims for back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, arthritis, and depression as secondary to bilateral postoperative hammertoes.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen her claim for service connection for a bilateral knee condition, finding that no new and material evidence had been presented.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a left knee disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability is due to or a result of his service-connected injury to the right thigh, and thus grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.