Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for knots on hands, back and knees, psychiatric disorders (claimed as depression and fatigue), and ulcer disorder (claimed as stomach condition). The claim for PTSD was not granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting left knee disorder may have been aggravated by service, but further medical examination is needed to determine if this aggravation constitutes an increase in disability beyond natural progression. The pension claim will be remanded for proper evaluation and assignment of ratings.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of VAOPGCPREC 23-97.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected post-arthrotomy of the right knee with internal derangement, including arthritis. The veteran is not entitled to an increased rating as his disability does not meet the criteria for more than slight impairment due to recurrent subluxation or lateral instability.

The Board has granted a combined 20 percent rating for the veteran's right and left knee disabilities, effective from December 29, 1992. The ratings are based on limitation of motion and arthritis.

The Board denied a higher rating for the veteran's service-connected right knee disability, finding that staged ratings were not warranted and that the RO did not consider DeLuca v. Brown (1995) or VAOPGCPREC 23-97 (1997).

The veteran's claim for a total evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability was incurred during active service and granted service connection for residuals of a right knee injury. The issue of secondary service connection for low back pain is also addressed, but further development is needed to determine if there is a current low back disorder and its etiology.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for residuals of a medial meniscectomy of the right knee, effective from August 30, 1999. The veteran's degenerative changes of the right knee are rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board found that the veteran's left leg amputation below the knee was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound of the right thigh, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional evidence and an examination, as well as the need to comply with new laws regarding assistance in claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right 5th metacarpal joint, left knee injury, and lumbosacral strain disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's need for regular aid and attendance is due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically his left leg amputation and Parkinson's disease. As a result, he is granted special monthly compensation by reason of need for regular aid and attendance.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's assertions that her Raynaud's syndrome, lump in right calf (lipoma), or pterygium are related to military service.

The Board found no evidence to support the appellant's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability and hypertension. The current disabilities were not shown to be related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and for reopening his claim of service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that the submitted evidence was not new and material.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gastrointestinal disorder (ulcers and hiatal hernia), left knee disorder, and residuals of a fractured nose. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a left knee disorder as secondary to his service-connected right medial meniscectomy, and for thoracic spine disorder. The claim for rotator cuff tendinitis in the right shoulder was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee replacements are not related to his active military service and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disability is a chronic condition that began in service and granted service connection.