Knee Board decisions

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for arthritis of the right knee and service connection for residuals of a left knee injury, including arthritis. The decision found no evidence linking the current conditions to active service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal, effectively dismissing the case.

The veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation training was granted due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically degenerative joint disease of the knees and left elbow tendinitis. The VA determined that he had an employment handicap but did not meet the criteria for a serious employment handicap.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for headaches, fatigue, low back disorder, right knee disorder, epididymitis, and sinusitis due to an undiagnosed illness are not well grounded as there is no evidence of such conditions in service or post-service. The veteran's current symptoms were attributed to his pre-existing cervical strain.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for postoperative meniscectomy of the right knee and arthritis of the right knee are denied as there is no evidence showing limitation of motion or other disabling pathology warranting a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected left knee disability was denied because he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected postoperative ACL repair of the right knee with degenerative joint disease warrants a 10 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the April 1996 decision.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for educational assistance benefits under chapter 35 of title 38, United States Code. The decision found that the earliest she could have applied was when her husband became permanently and totally disabled in 1992, which is one year before March 4, 1996, when her application was received.

The veteran's appeal is about the current rating for his right knee sprain disability. The Board has ordered additional development and a hearing before a Member of the Board.

The veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and his right knee residuals are also rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of the disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of both lower extremities, finding that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus and knee disorders did not increase in severity during service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service and is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The Board granted service connection for right ankle disability and denied claims for left knee, low back, and left ankle disabilities. The veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's left knee meniscectomy and assigned a 10 percent evaluation, effective from December 5, 1992.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities are properly rated at 10 percent each, with no additional ratings for specific issues.

The Board has determined that there is no appeal pending before it regarding the extension of a temporary total disability evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30, and thus dismisses the appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for body aches, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness, is not well grounded. The claim for increased rating for TMJ was denied.

The VA has granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the veteran's residuals of a left knee meniscectomy, but denied his claim for TDIU.