Knee decisions — 2001

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the current evaluations were appropriate based on the evidence provided.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for compensable evaluations for his service-connected lumbar spondylosis and status post left knee fibular fracture, finding no basis for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The VA has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the veteran's post-traumatic arthritis of the left knee, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, which was previously rated as 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's left knee disorder, chronic low back pain, and left shoulder disorder. Service connection was granted for mixed vascular and tension-type headaches (30% disabling) and bilateral ureteroceles and diverticulum, left ureter (noncompensable).

The veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are considered, with some issues reopened and others not. The highest rating of 10% is assigned for tinnitus prior to June 10, 2000, and no higher rating is warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee impairment does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA clinical records and a VA orthopedic examination. The claim will be reconsidered based on all relevant criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of whether an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The veteran's claims for service connection for low back, bilateral knee, and right elbow disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities, specifically the residuals of fracture to the right and left femurs with associated knee conditions, has been granted. The right ulnar nerve disability is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and requests additional development, including VA examinations for knee, hearing loss, and stomach disorder.

The RO granted an increased rating to 10 percent for the service-connected left knee disability under Diagnostic Code 5257, effective from March 15, 1990.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for both the veteran's motor vehicle accident and left ear hearing loss claims, including obtaining an accident report from Honolulu police department and records related to the in-service line of duty determination. The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a motor vehicle accident will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board is unable to determine whether the veteran's claimed conditions are related to his military service, as there is insufficient evidence in the record. The case must be remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and a separate evaluation of 10 percent for instability is granted. The effective date for the increased rating remains January 5, 1999.

The veteran's increased evaluations for her right and left knee disabilities were granted, but the effective dates are not specified.

The veteran withdrew his appeals concerning the claims of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left knee, on appeal from the initial grant of service connection, and entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 60 percent for service-connected right knee replacement.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability warrants a 10 percent evaluation, his bilateral hip disability is not service-connected, and his right knee disability claim can be reopened with new evidence. The decision also notes ongoing treatment for both knees and hips.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and a temporary total evaluation based on treatment for her service-connected left tibia fracture with left knee involvement with subluxation.