Knee decisions — 2003

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including addressing issues related to an earlier effective date for service connection and reopening a claim for a right knee disorder.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a fracture to the fourth digit of the left hand, right ankle disability, and left knee disability due to lack of current evidence of these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability, manifested by well-healed scars and moderate atrophy of the left thigh with limited flexion, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The veteran's appeal is for a total rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The RO must ensure all VCAA notice obligations have been satisfied and request all pertinent medical records from the veteran's providers. They should also schedule VA orthopedic, audiological, and special audio examinations to determine the nature and current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his left knee disability has been dismissed due to his indication of satisfaction with the decision.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent evaluation for migraine headaches and remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar strain and a bilateral knee disorder for further development.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including psychiatric and orthopedic examinations. The appeal is currently remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected arthritis of the left and right knees.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder, which was previously denied due to lack of aggravation during his second period of active service. The Board finds that the pre-existing condition was aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for chondromalacia of the right knee and a noncompensable evaluation for chondromalacia of the left knee, effective from June 18, 1995.

The Board found that the veteran's current knee, hip, and back disabilities did not begin in or were aggravated by service. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The case is being remanded for further development, including an orthopedic examination to assess the veteran's left knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an increased rating for his service-connected right foreleg and knee disability, maintaining a 10% evaluation. The claim was based on complaints of pain with extension to 0 degrees and flexion to 100 degrees, as well as slight instability.

The veteran's claims for service connection for low back strain, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle sprain, and cellulitis of the right ankle were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The veteran's appeal for increased evaluations of various disabilities involving the left knee, lower back, hip, and ankle was denied by the Board.

The veteran's right knee disabilities, including traumatic arthritis and a total knee replacement, are currently rated at 30 percent. The claim for an increased rating prior to June 16, 1997 is granted.

The Board has granted a higher 20 percent rating for arthritis of the right knee, effective from December 5, 2001. The claim for an increased rating for anterior cruciate ligament deficiency remains pending.

The Board has denied an increased evaluation for right knee impairment with osteoarthritis, but the veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of iritis, defective vision is reopened due to new and material evidence. The current rating for the right knee condition remains at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by his service-connected hypertension and associated heart disease, which contributed to his death. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.