CAVC Case 15-3362: Knee
CAVCReal U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) decision · 2015-08-24 · GREENE
This is a decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims — the federal court that reviews Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions, one level above the Board. Court decisions can vacate, reverse, or affirm what the Board did.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
2026 base rates, all ratings (veteran alone)
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
Conditions Claimed
KneeHipAnkleSkinArthritisHypertension
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Issues on Appeal
Service ConnectionReopen
Why It Was Decided This Way
The appellant ,appeals pro se an August 24,2015, Board of Veterans'Appeals (Board)decision that found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his previously denied claims for entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hip disorder,chronic bilateral ankle sprains,a bilateral knee disorder,and residuals of a right ankle sprain.
The appellant's claims for entitlement to service connection for gout,stage II kidney disease,and facial scarring claimed as hyperpigmentation of facial skin and the issue of whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen his previously denied claim for entitlement to service connection for hypertension.
Among other things,the RO found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the appellant.
The appellant's service-connected acne condition and scar;entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hip condition,a bilateral knee disorder,bilateral shin splints,and bilateral chronic ankle sprains;and whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen his claim for entitlement to service connection for residuals of a right ankle sprain.
ction for a bilateral hip disorder,bilateral knee disorder,and chronic ankle sprains and found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the appellant.
The Board found that service connection for any hip, knee,and ankle conditions was not warranted because the evidence of record did not establish that these conditions were etiologically related to service or to the veteran's service-connected acne keloidalis nuchae with folliculitis (including pseudofolliculitis barbae),including steroid treatment therefor.
The Board also reasoned that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the right ankle claim because [t]here is still no competent evidence indicating that the veteran currently suffers from a right ankle disorder,much less that [it]is related to service.
The appellant submitted a statement requesting that VA reopen his previously disallowed claims based on new and material evidence.
Authorities Cited
Denial Type
Credibility|Not New Material|Duty To Assist
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