Knee decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the case requires further development due to ambiguity in the medical evidence regarding whether the veteran's left knee disability is related to his service-connected back disability.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability were denied due to the RO finding that he was not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board also found that he could not have been continuously rated as totally disabled for a period of ten years immediately preceding death.

The veteran's hemorrhoids are found to have manifested during his service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right knee disability is a result of an injury sustained during his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for VCAA compliance.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating, finding that the veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable. The issue of an increased rating for lumbar stenosis with bulging disc is remanded due to additional evidence received since the June 2002 Statement of the Case.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence of a disease or injury during service and insufficient continuity of post-service medical evidence to support a current diagnosis. The right knee disability issue remains pending as it was not fully developed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for his right navicular fracture and right knee injury, finding that the evidence did not warrant increased ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board found no current right knee disability and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected left ankle arthritis warranted a 10 percent evaluation, but not higher. The Board also determined that there was insufficient evidence to establish service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to the service-connected chondromalacia of the right knee. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee degenerative joint disease with plica formation, finding that the veteran's current disabilities are related to his active duty service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a right knee injury, residuals of a right hand injury, and neurocirculatory asthenia. The evidence does not support a finding that any current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection due to new evidence submitted, and it is determined that his arthritis in the left hip, knee, and ankle developed during or after service. However, these conditions are not considered service-connected.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending requests for evidence and clarification. The case is now being remanded for additional examinations and consideration of the claims.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and right ankle disabilities due to incomplete evaluation of the evidence, including lack of recent treatment records and examination reports.

The Board found that the veteran's right hip fracture was not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected DJD of the right knee. Therefore, the claim for secondary service connection for a right hip disorder is denied.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and left knee disability due to lack of evidence supporting the claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee replacement and nonspecific urethritis, finding that the evidence did not support these claims.