Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to increased ratings for PTSD from January 15, 1998 to March 26, 2000 (to a maximum of 30 percent), but not beyond. The veteran's PTSD was found to be manifested by mild symptoms before March 27, 2000 and moderate symptoms thereafter.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher disability evaluations for various musculoskeletal and hearing disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation was denied in January 1996. The appellant received accrued benefits based on the VA's calculation of $2,073.00 for a period from March 1997 to March 1999.

The veteran's claim for service connection for left knee total arthroplasty is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and special monthly compensation were granted, with the right shoulder disability rated at 70 percent disabling and the left knee instability rated as a separate condition.

The Board denied increased ratings for bilateral pes planus, left knee chondromalacia, and right knee chondromalacia as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection due to undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations for his left and right knee disabilities, finding that they did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the left knee disability or a 10 percent evaluation for the right knee disability.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a left below knee amputation, which he claims is secondary to his already service-connected left great toe fracture with chronic osteomyelitis. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development and compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the veteran's postoperative right knee medial meniscus tear is related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of his right knee arthritis, including as secondary to left knee arthritis, and also denied a temporary total evaluation for treatment of his right knee.

The veteran's claim for a temporary total rating of 100 percent based on the need for convalescence following surgery in March 1999 is granted. The surgery was performed to treat his service-connected low back disability, and he required at least one month of recuperation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence. The veteran was previously denied in March 1961, and no new evidence has been submitted since then.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a left knee disability. Resolving all doubt in favor of the veteran, the Board finds that his current left knee disability is related to his active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for PTSD, injuries to the right upper extremity including shell fragment wound scar, and scars on the right thigh and left knee.

The VA has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's right knee disability, which includes subluxation and instability. A separate 10 percent rating is assigned for arthritis of the right knee.

The veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right knee have been granted with respective evaluations of 20%, 10%, and 10% since January 1996. The claim for bilateral ulnar neuropathy was denied.

The veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for his right knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not warrant an evaluation in excess of the current ratings.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability, but the RO has requested additional development to ensure all due process requirements are met.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disorder was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, specifically his right leg injuries. The examiner concluded that there was no direct connection between the service-connected conditions and the development of the left knee disorder.