Knee Board decisions

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board found that the appellant did not file a timely and adequate substantive appeal for his claims of service connection and disability rating, thus dismissing these issues.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to conflicting evidence regarding his service status from 1984 to 1996. The RO is instructed to obtain his personnel records and determine if he was on active duty, active duty for training, or other type of duty during this period.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service-connected left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to ensure compliance with due process considerations, including scheduling a personal hearing. The claims for service connection and increased evaluation are pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chondrocalcinosis of the knees and varicose veins of the right leg, as well as his claim for an increased evaluation for varicose veins of the left leg. The decision is based on a lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5003 or 5257.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder in October 1995. The RO denied reopening the claim on March 1996, finding no new and material evidence. The veteran's request to reopen was based on additional medical records submitted since the previous decision.

The VA determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment based on his educational attainment and occupational experience.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disorder and left arm and hand disorders, but finds that new evidence does not establish a direct causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected left knee injury, bilateral hearing loss, and right dorsal wrist ganglion cyst. The conditions do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under applicable rating criteria.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for chondromalacia of the left and right knees.

The Board has determined that additional medical development is necessary due to significant changes in the appellant's service-connected disability and lack of recent examination. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic right knee strain and a 10 percent rating for lumbosacral strain, effective from November 14, 1995.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for traumatic arthritis of the left knee with a retained foreign body, effective as of the date of the decision.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected left knee injury with ACL repair and degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine are being remanded due to the need for additional VA outpatient treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's residuals of injuries to his right ankle, left elbow, right knee, and left shoulder, finding that these conditions are related to events in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, hypertension, fatigue and sleep problems, knee pain, memory loss, a skin disorder, headaches, and a sinus condition. The reasons given were that there was no medical evidence of these conditions in service or during the presumptive period, and that they did not meet the criteria for service connection due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current conditions to his military service, including exposure to cold injury. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's left knee and ankle disabilities have been rated, with the left knee receiving a 20% rating effective from December 1, 1995. The left ankle disability remains at a 10% rating since February 24, 1994.