Knee Board decisions

The Board denied both the request for an earlier effective date and the request for a higher rating. The effective date remains August 31, 1995, and the maximum allowable rating is 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities are not well grounded. The evidence does not establish a clear link between the current knee conditions and service, despite credible statements from the veteran regarding his in-service injuries.

The veteran's claim for secondary service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia is not well grounded. His claim for an increased evaluation of his right knee rupture remains pending.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the appellant's left knee strain, effective from when this decision is issued.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and left knee disorder are not well grounded. The claim for restoration of evaluation for residuals of fracture of left ankle with degenerative joint disease is granted as it meets the criteria under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for a left knee disability and whether there was clear and unmistakable error in rating decisions prior to October 1992. The issue of entitlement to service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee is not currently in appellate status.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for postoperative residuals of a right knee disorder, reflecting moderate impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disability warrants a separate 10 percent rating for arthritis and a 20 percent rating for impairment of the knee. The low back disability is rated at its maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 5295, with no additional compensable ratings warranted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence linking his current conditions to military service, and also denied a higher evaluation for his nasal septum disability. The issue of reopening the claim for rheumatoid arthritis was granted.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the veteran's right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not show limitation of motion or instability warranting a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a left knee condition, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of injuries to the left shoulder, low back, hips, and knees, including arthritis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia of the right and left knees, tinnitus, and sarcoidosis. The current ratings were found to be appropriate based on the clinical findings and symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for right ankle and knee conditions are not well grounded because there is no evidence of chronic or residual impairment shown on examination upon separation from service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and initial ratings were denied. The left knee disability was evaluated as 10 percent disabling, while the postoperative residuals of recurrent pilonidal cyst received a 10 percent initial evaluation.

The veteran's claim of service connection for a skin disorder due to herbicide exposure is not well grounded. His claim for increase in the rating for postoperative residuals of a medial meniscectomy of the right knee prior to November 9, 1998 was denied. The RO increased his rating to 30% as of November 9, 1998 and thereafter.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and an increased rating, finding no competent medical evidence linking her current arthritis to military service or a pre-existing condition.

The VA has determined that the veteran's postoperative left knee meniscus injury is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5259. The Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his residuals of a right knee injury, finding that the evidence did not support such a higher evaluation.

The veteran's application for retroactive payment of annual clothing allowance prior to August 1, 1998 was denied as it is not provided for by law.