Knee decisions — 2003

The Board has granted secondary service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease, finding that the veteran's right knee condition caused or aggravated his left knee condition. The other issues remain pending and will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Board found that the reduction of the evaluation for the right knee impairment from 30 to 20 percent was improper and restored the original rating. The severance of service connection for an impulse control disorder secondary to a right knee impairment was also denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of chondromalacia of both knees due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial in 1978. The claim is now considered on its merits.

The Board has ordered further development in your case, including obtaining medical records and Social Security Administration reports. The appeal will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for further review by a VA physician regarding whether any of the veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to the veteran's military service.

The Board finds that the veteran's pre-existing hemangioma, left knee, resulted in a new disability due to postoperative scar formation. Service connection is granted for a symptomatic scar as a result of surgery.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for a back disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for these conditions was previously denied due to lack of evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for back injury and knee problems, finding that no timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) was filed with respect to the issue of knee disability.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and will remand the case back to the RO for additional consideration.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a currently shown left knee disability and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his postoperative residuals of a left knee partial patellectomy, currently evaluated at 20 percent.

The veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as deranged and requiring the use of a brace, has been rated at 30 percent. The current rating is granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of knee disabilities, as well as a callus on the left great toe, are being remanded due to incomplete development. The RO must ensure all VCAA notice and development obligations have been satisfied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to new evidence received and the need for a VA examination.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the veteran had died before a decision could be made on his claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for status post fracture of the right knee with degenerative arthritis.

The veteran's bilateral pes cavus with metatarsal callosities is granted a rating of 30 percent, and service connection for back, knee, and shoulder disorders due to the service-connected bilateral claw feet is also granted.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence and clarification. The case is now being remanded back to the RO for a VA orthopedic examination, among other steps.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating, finding that his conditions are mostly age-related degenerative polyarthritis rather than rheumatoid arthritis.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his right knee disability was denied by the RO, and he appealed to the Board. The case is being remanded due to a lack of proper notification under VCAA.