Knee Board decisions

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his arthritis, finding that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that additional benefits under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 are not warranted in this case as the veteran did not require an extended period of convalescence beyond February 1995.

The Board found that the appellant's service-connected right knee disability warranted a 30 percent evaluation from August 1, 1995 to January 16, 1998 and a separate 10 percent rating for arthritis with instability of the knee. The claim for an increased rating prior to May 30, 1995 was denied as well as the claim for total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a right knee disability on secondary basis and an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability. The evidence did not support the veteran's claim that his current right knee condition was related to his military service or his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board found no evidence of a left knee disability in service and concluded that the claim is not well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a timely notice of disagreement and an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD. The veteran did not file a timely NOD to the February 1991 rating decision, which denied his claims for various disabilities. The RO granted his claim for PTSD in September 1997 with an effective date of October 16, 1996.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee. The current ratings are at their maximum allowed under VA regulations.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of a back condition secondary to his left knee disability. However, it was determined that the back injury is not proximately due to or aggravated by the service-connected left knee disability. The rating for residuals of arthrotomy of the left knee with traumatic arthritis remains at 20 percent. The temporary total rating based on hospitalization from June 21 to August 2, 1990, was denied.

The veteran's low back disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disorder. The other claims are pending and will require further development.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking any of the veteran's claimed conditions to service, and thus his claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability is aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral trench foot and a bilateral knee disorder due to lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability and found that new and material evidence has been submitted. The issue is now on its merits, with the Board finding that the low back disability is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the knees as there was no current diagnosis and no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 10 percent for the appellant's right knee disorder, effective from August 1995.

Service connection is denied for a right hip disorder, a left knee disorder, and a cervical spine disorder as these conditions are not causally related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and bilateral hip disabilities, as well as his claim to reopen a low back disability. The temporary total evaluation for left knee arthroscopy and lateral release was granted through January 31, 1994.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for pain and stiffness in multiple joints including arms, knees, neck, and back due to a lack of evidence showing an etiological relationship between his current disability and his period of active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for left knee arthritis as there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has granted the veteran an increased rating to 30 percent for his right knee disability, which combines a 20 percent rating for instability and a 10 percent rating for arthritis with limited motion.