Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking the appellant's current left knee, right knee, or left hip disabilities to his service-connected residuals of a left ankle fracture. Therefore, the claims for these conditions are denied.

The veteran's claims for compensable ratings for low back disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disability, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the July 1993 RO decision denying service connection for a low back disability. The Board also found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to December 23, 1996 or in excess of 10 percent after January 31, 1997.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder and finds that it is well grounded. The evidence shows that the veteran had a pre-existing condition of recurrent dislocation of the patella with chondromalacia, which existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 1, 1993 for the separate 20 percent rating for left knee arthritis with limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA specialist examination of both knees and notification to the veteran regarding the denial of his claim as not well grounded.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his right knee disability is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from VA facilities and private sources.

The Board found that the veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher rate of pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected arthritis of the right and left knees warrants a 10 percent evaluation, as there is no limitation of motion documented by x-ray studies.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder secondary to herbicide exposure, an increased rating for his right knee disability, and service connection for a left knee disorder secondary to the right knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection as the tear in his right knee was not linked to his military service, but rather to an injury sustained in 1987.

The veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability (TRIU) is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the legal threshold for such a rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities or medical nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right elbow epicondylitis was incurred during his military service.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for the left knee, head concussion residuals, or chronic fatigue syndrome. Therefore, the veteran's claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for a left ankle disability as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability is not well grounded. The claim for an increased rating for a left knee disability is well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a psychiatric disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, left side injury, vision problems, throat problem, low back disorder, and flat feet. The evidence submitted did not meet the criteria to reopen these claims.