Knee Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability warrants a 20 percent evaluation for postoperative residuals, but does not meet criteria for an additional 10 percent rating for arthritis.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee injury with degenerative meniscus was denied by the RO. The RO later granted a compensable evaluation of 20 percent effective March 9, 1998.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a left knee disability, which is now granted.

The veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100 percent rating from February 7, 1996 through May 17, 2000. The left knee disability is rated at 10 percent since April 18, 1998. The left hand disability is rated at 10 percent. The scars of the chest and right knee are rated at 10 percent each.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that new evidence did not warrant reopening his claims. The left knee arthritis was rated at 10 percent, while the right knee disorder and flat feet were denied.

The veteran's service-connected knee disabilities were evaluated based on the severity of his symptoms and range of motion, with no significant instability or subluxation noted. The ratings have been adjusted to reflect changes in disability status.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back strain is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right knee disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's PTSD is granted as incurred in wartime service. Service connection for bilateral flatfoot and secondary knee disabilities are granted, with a rating of 10% for the bilateral flatfoot.

The Board found no current medical evidence of a left knee, right ankle, or left ankle disorder. The veteran's service records do not show any ongoing issues with his knees and ankles post-service. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for malaria was granted. The claims for service connection and increased ratings for other conditions remain pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a respiratory disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, vision loss, and a right knee disability. The appeals were decided on their merits without any presumption or reopening of records.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of a left knee injury, status post arthroscopy. The RO had previously granted service connection and assigned a zero percent rating effective July 20, 1994.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and to reopen his service connection claims, maintaining that new evidence did not warrant reopening of the right ankle and knee disability claims, and denying a left knee disability claim. The low back disability was rated at 20 percent.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence does not support evaluations greater than 20 percent for status post arthroscopy with arthrotomy of the right knee or a noncompensable evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the right knee. The VA has also denied an increase in rating for chondromalacia and arthritis of the left knee, finding that the evidence does not support evaluations greater than 10 percent.

The Board has found new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability. The issue will now be adjudicated on its merits.

The Board denied the claim for an earlier effective date of May 3, 1995 for the TDIU rating due to lack of evidence showing individual unemployability within one year prior to the June 1991 application.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee and right ankle disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may arthritis be presumed to have been so incurred. The preponderance of evidence shows these disabilities are not related to his period of active service.

The veteran's appeal is about the current rating for his right knee disorder. The RO assigned a 20 percent disability rating, but the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has determined that a new examination is necessary to determine if he should receive a higher rating.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disorder and a bilateral knee disorder, finding no current disability due to service or any related exposure.