Knee decisions — 2003

The Board found that the veteran's current right knee disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a current right knee disorder related to service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's right knee replacement as secondary to his service-connected left knee replacement.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected right knee disability, which is secondary to a previous fracture of the left tibia and fibula, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for residuals of fractured left patella and a separate 10 percent evaluation for DJD of the left knee, effective from September 1995.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee, low back, and bilateral hip disorders are all service-connected.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the nature and extent of his current right knee disability and left knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee, right hip, and lumbar spine disabilities are related to his service-connected right knee condition. The claims for increased rating of the right knee have been denied.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development due to procedural issues, including a need for a VA examination and notification of the veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for back, bilateral hip, and right knee disabilities, all claimed as secondary to his service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Board found that the veteran's current knee and back disorders were not present during service, did not manifest within a year after service, and are not etiologically related to his period of active duty. Therefore, service connection for arthritis of the knees and spine was denied.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims of service connection for various conditions and a claim for an increased evaluation for the service-connected appendectomy scar.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of arthritis of the left knee or left foot, and thus denied his claims for service connection based on secondary service connection.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding service connection for various disabilities, including knee, depression, left foot, and left ankle conditions. The case is now remanded for additional examinations and consideration.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left knee and low back disabilities are aggravated by service, specifically National Guard duty in May 1980. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board is remanding the case for compliance with Quartuccio v. Principi, and to ensure that the issue of entitlement to TDIU complies with the requirements of the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board has determined that the veteran's left hip and knee conditions are related to his service-connected fracture of the left femur, warranting a grant of service connection. The right ankle condition is found to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, while the left ankle condition does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has denied service connection for a left knee disorder and is considering the issue of service connection for a right knee disorder, which is currently pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee and back disorders are caused by his service-connected right knee disorder, warranting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to assess his bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hallux valgus, and service-connected bilateral talonavicular junction arthritis superimposed on pes planus. The appeal is remanded for these actions.