Knee Board decisions

The Board denied an increased rating for degenerative joint disease of the left knee with patellar condyle syndrome and instability of the left knee, finding that the veteran's symptoms did not warrant a higher disability rating based on his range of motion or instability.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and foot fungus. The appeals for increased evaluations for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinea corporis are also pending.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for synovitis of the knees, but did not specify which issues were granted or denied.

The Board determined that the November 1957 decision to sever service connection for post-traumatic hypertrophic arthritis of the lumbar spine and right knee did not involve clear and unmistakable error. The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding this issue.

The Board has granted increased disability ratings of 10 percent for the veteran's right knee disability and lumbosacral strain, effective March 16, 1998.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected chronic ligamentous strain, right knee, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for a compensable evaluation for the laceration scar was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder and found that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder. The RO continued a 10 percent evaluation for service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability and found it well-grounded. The claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities, as well as extensions of temporary total ratings based on postoperative residuals, have been granted. The effective date for service connection for major depressive disorder remains to be determined.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee injury, manifested by extension to 0 degrees and flexion to 70 degrees with pain on motion up to 50 degrees, does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a temporary total disability rating beyond August 1, 1998, due to convalescence from his service-connected left knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chondromalacia of the patella in both knees warrants a 10 percent rating, effective from the date of her claims.

The veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent, with a separate 20 percent evaluation for instability. The low back disability has been evaluated as 40 percent from February 21, 1996.

The Board has determined that the appellant's burial expenses are deductible from her countable income, and she is entitled to special monthly death pension based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral pes planus, chondromalacia of both knees, and a TDIU.

The veteran's service-connected arthritis of the right and left knees were granted higher disability ratings prior to April 30, 1996. From August 1, 1997, forward, his disabilities were denied for increased ratings.

The veteran's knees have been rated at 10% each due to degenerative changes. The gout condition does not warrant a separate rating as it did not meet criteria for a compensable degree of impairment.,The VA has determined that the veteran's knee conditions do not meet or exceed the required percentage ratings, and therefore no additional compensation is granted.,The gout condition was also found to be non-compensable.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied as his claim is not well grounded due to lack of competent medical evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board determined that the submitted evidence was not new and material, thus denying the veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for osteochondritis dissecans of the right knee.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing right knee condition did not worsen during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.