Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for his sinus disorder, low back strain, right knee pain syndrome, and left knee pain syndrome are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of chronic sinusitis or other service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, left knee disability, and low back disability are denied as not well grounded. The claim for increased rating of right knee disability is also denied.

The veteran's left knee disorder was initially rated at 20 percent from February 29, 1992 to December 16, 1998. Since then, the disability has been rated at 30 percent effective December 17, 1998.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a bilateral knee disability in service and the veteran's current knee condition is not related to his period of active service. The Board also determined that the veteran's left radial head fracture does not warrant an increased evaluation beyond 10 percent.

The veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a left knee disorder must be remanded for a determination as to whether new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability is service-connected, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the veteran.

The Board finds that the veteran's claim for service connection for right hip disability on a secondary basis is not well grounded. The claim for increased rating of right knee disability has been granted with a 10% evaluation effective from February 1996.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities effectively preclude him from gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's service-connected above-the-left-knee amputation does not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment compatible with his level of education and work experience.

The Board has granted a 100 percent evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder and a noncompensable evaluation for residuals of laceration of the left knee, finding that the appellant's symptoms meet criteria warranting a 100 percent rating due to severe social isolation.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the failure of VA to comply with previous instructions, and a new examination is needed to determine if any current knee disorders are related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of arthritis of the left hip, right hip, and left knee due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions are related to his military service or any incident therein.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder disorder warrants a compensable evaluation of 10 percent, while his knee DJD is rated at its maximum allowable under current regulations.

The Board has denied the reopening of both claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected psychophysiologic musculoskeletal reaction is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected left knee disorder and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, as well as a TDIU claim. The veteran appealed these decisions to the Court, which remanded them back to the RO.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability and sleep apnea are not well-grounded, as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for sleep apnea based on VA treatment in 1986 is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for anterior cruciate ligament tear of the left knee, including as secondary to chondromalacia of the left knee. The claim was not well grounded due to lack of medical evidence linking the current condition to service or service-connected conditions. For the increased rating claim, a 10% rating for chondromalacia of the left knee is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability and skin disorder due to exposure to herbicide agents are well grounded. The claim of service connection for PTSD is also considered, as new and material evidence has been presented since the previous denial.