Knee decisions — 2001

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee chondromalacia, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent per knee.

The veteran's right knee disorder, which includes a partial medial meniscectomy and arthroscopy with degenerative joint disease, is currently rated at 10 percent. The RO has granted this rating but did not increase it further.

The Board found no current evidence of a left knee disorder and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The appellant's claim for an increased initial evaluation of a left knee disability, currently rated at 10 percent, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his right knee condition was denied, and service connection for a left ankle disorder was also denied. The right knee is currently rated at 20 percent disabling.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the knees and assigned a 10 percent evaluation effective August 26, 1996. The RO increased the evaluations to 10 percent each knee in June 2000.

The Board finds that the veteran's herpes zoster/shingles, back disability, bilateral foot disabilities, and headaches are service-connected as they are part of an underlying condition.

The Board has established a total rating based on individual unemployability effective from May 31, 1997. The appellant's combined schedular evaluation was 100 percent permanent and total as of that date.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to inadequate examination report and the need to consider a separate rating for arthritis with limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the case for obtaining additional VA Medical Center evidence, as identified by the appellant's representative. The appeal will be returned to the Board after compliance with all requisite appellate procedures.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disease, and denied her requests for increased ratings for right knee disability, left knee disability, and back disability.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, temporomandibular syndrome, fractured skull, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder due to new evidence. However, the claim remains denied as there is insufficient credible evidence to establish the occurrence of the claimed stressors.

The VA denied a higher initial rating for the veteran's right knee disability, currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5259.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for his knee and foot conditions, as well as rhinosinusitis, were denied. Service connection was established for these conditions, but the RO found that they did not warrant increased evaluations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for secondary service connection were not well grounded and are therefore denied. The RO is directed to consider whether additional notification or development actions are required under the VCAA.

The Board has remanded the case due to new legal requirements under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000, and additional development is needed.

The veteran's service-connected left knee disability, characterized as traumatic arthritis with loose bodies and residuals of a left knee injury, is currently rated at 40 percent. The RO has assigned a 10 percent rating for the traumatic arthritis component and a 30 percent rating for the instability component.

The veteran has withdrawn their appeal, and the case is dismissed without prejudice.