Knee Board decisions

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee disability has been granted, with a current evaluation of 40 percent.

The Board has granted a 10% rating for the veteran's right knee retropatellar pain syndrome.,The veteran's left knee retropatellar pain syndrome does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no well-grounded claims for the claimed disabilities, except for residuals of venereal disease, cardiovascular disability including hypertension, and a disability of the right foot.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and a right knee disorder, as well as his claim for an increased rating for his left knee disorder. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or post-service treatment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a right knee injury, finding that no new and material evidence had been presented.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of service connection for multiple joint arthritis, hearing loss, cardiovascular disease including hypertension, hiatal hernia and depression were not well grounded. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection or any other form of service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders. The RO should now consider these claims on their merits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is denied as not well grounded. The claim for an increased rating for cellulitis of the left lower leg remains pending.

The veteran's dysthymia and hammertoes of the right foot have been granted increased evaluations, while his claims for service connection for a right elbow disorder and a right knee disorder are well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge from his second period of service was under dishonorable conditions, creating a bar to VA benefits based on that period. The claims for service connection for headache disorder and right knee disorder are denied as new and material evidence is not submitted. PTSD is also denied as it is not related to the honorable period of service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for hemorrhoids and service connection for a right knee disability. The decision also held in abeyance his claim of entitlement to a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability by reason of service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected right knee sprain, left knee chondromalacia (bone condition), and prostate gland disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for acne vulgaris and left knee disability, finding that there was no well-grounded evidence to support these claims. The right knee claim is remanded due to a lack of recent medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disability warrants a 20 percent evaluation, representing moderate impairment of the joint.

The VA has assigned a 10% evaluation for the veteran's left knee chondromalacia and arthritis since April 14, 1997.

The Board found no current right knee, thoracic/lumbar spine, or rib disorder and thus denied the claims for service connection. The cervical spine disability is rated at 20%.

The Board found that the appellant's pre-existing left knee disability was not aggravated by military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities do not warrant a higher rating based on current symptoms and medical evidence.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, including limitation of motion and pain. The claim for an increased rating beyond this level is denied.

The veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for allergic rhinitis and right knee disorder are granted. The initial rating of 10 percent is maintained for allergic rhinitis, while a higher rating is denied since May 15, 1997, for the right knee disorder.