Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the right knee with total arthroplasty warrants a 60 percent rating, reflecting significant functional impairment and pain.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's post-operative right knee injury with arthritis, effective from the date of the claim. The rating is based on symptoms including episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 30 percent for the veteran's right knee disability, which is currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings of his right and left knee disabilities, as well as service connection for a back disability, were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support granting an increased rating or establishing service connection.

The Board finds that the veteran's claims for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 and service connection for post-traumatic vascular headaches and headaches secondary to PTSD are well-grounded, and grants these claims.

The veteran's severe arthritis, which was service-connected, substantially contributed to his death from cardiorespiratory arrest.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including additional examinations and consideration of his claim for an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are service-connected due to injuries incurred during active duty, and his cranial nerve damage is not compensable under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The veteran's right knee infection was caused by VA treatment and is compensable under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, while the stomach cancer claim is denied as it does not meet the criteria for compensation.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected residuals of a left knee injury, scar, finding that there were no manifestations of ulceration, pain, or limitation of motion related to this condition.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected post-operative residuals of a left knee torn medial meniscus was granted, with the evaluation being set at 20 percent. A separate 10 percent evaluation is also granted for arthritis of the left knee.

The Board has determined that the evidence submitted does not meet the criteria for reopening the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and ankle disorders, as there is no new and material evidence presented.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, to include arthritis, and bilateral pes planus are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between any current right knee disorders or bilateral pes planus and military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are well grounded. The veteran is entitled to a rating of 30 percent for ankylosing spondylitis of the cervical spine with disc narrowing, postoperative cervical osteotomy, and a 20 percent rating for ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbar spine.

The veteran's claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied because her current left knee disability is not considered to be the result of medical or surgical treatment by the Washington, D.C. VA Medical Center in June 1986.

The Board found that the veteran's symptoms of COPD with sleep apnea, tinea pedis, and bilateral knee disorder (chondromalacia) are not related to service or an undiagnosed illness. The claims were denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting psychiatric disorder was aggravated by service, and her right knee and hip conditions are not well-grounded claims.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the veteran's right knee disability, effective from January 1994. The claim for service connection for a spinal disability as secondary to the service-connected right knee disability is also granted.

The veteran's low back injury and chondromalacia of the left knee were granted increased evaluations, with the low back receiving a higher evaluation due to more severe symptoms.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the service-connected lumbosacral strain, which is the maximum available under VA regulations. The other issues remain unresolved.