Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, characterized by post-traumatic arthritis and a flexion contracture of 20 degrees, warrants a maximum evaluation of 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 5010. A separate 10 percent evaluation is assigned for instability of the right knee under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The veteran's right knee disability was granted a noncompensable rating prior to April 1991 and a 10 percent rating since then. The left knee disability received a 30 percent rating. The fracture of the third and fourth fingers of the right hand did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his service-connected conditions have been granted, with a 10% evaluation assigned for each condition.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability and concluded that the appellant's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is not well-grounded.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims of service connection for residuals of a right knee injury, residuals of a back injury, a mental disorder, and hypoglycemia as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his periods of active duty training or inactive duty training.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not presented to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for back and knee disorders as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The RO's January 1981 decision is final, and no further action can be taken on these claims without reopening them first.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's post-operative chondromalacia of both knees, which is the maximum benefit available under the rating schedule.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including dermatitis of the arms and groin area, left ear hearing loss, chronic meibomianitis of both eyes, a chronic eye disorder (claimed as herpes), a chronic elbow disorder (claimed as lateral epicondylitis of the left elbow), a bilateral knee disorder, a chronic back disorder (claimed as degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine), and a chronic neck disorder (claimed as degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine).

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations have been granted. Service connection is established for a scar on the head, postoperative residuals of medial and lateral meniscectomy of the right knee, anterior cruciate ligament deficiency of the left knee with degenerative joint disease, plantar fasciitis of the right foot, and gastroesophageal reflux. The veteran's claims for increased evaluations have been granted to 10 percent for postoperative residuals of medial and lateral meniscectomy of the right knee, anterior cruciate ligament deficiency of the left knee with degenerative joint disease, plantar fasciitis of the right foot, and gastroesophageal reflux.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied by the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his service-connected postoperative right testicle cancer with abdominal lymph node metastasis and a TDIU, finding that the current state of his disability does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, including residuals of Osgood-Schlatter disease, finding no evidence of a chronic disability resulting from service.

The Board has reopened the claim, but it is not well-grounded as there is no medical evidence linking current right knee disability to service.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's left knee disorder and psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a well-grounded claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are well grounded, but his secondary service connection claims have not been substantiated by evidence of a plausible claim.

The veteran's disability conditions, including uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and amputation of the right leg, have rendered him unable to perform daily activities such as bathing, dressing, or toileting without assistance. The Board has determined that these conditions meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, including postoperative residuals of medial meniscectomy and arthritis, does not warrant a higher rating than currently assigned.

The veteran is eligible for fee-basis outpatient medical care for his service-connected PTSD, and the VA Medical Center in Albuquerque was found to be geographically inaccessible. The case has been remanded for further development regarding authorization of fee-basis care.

The Board has granted a 20% rating for the service-connected calcification of the left lateral meniscus, effective from November 7, 1998.