Knee decisions — 2003

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteochondromatosis and arthritis with arthroplasty and painful limitation of motion, as well as bilateral hip osteoarthritis and avascular necrosis. The decision also grants secondary service connection for left hip disability and right hip disability due to the service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional medical records and an orthopedic examination. The case will be returned to the RO for these actions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an orthopedic examination and notification to the appellant regarding which evidence is provided by him and which by VA.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disorder, which was previously denied in September 1979. The Board found that the current right knee disability is related to events in service.

The veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The case has been remanded for additional examination and evaluation to determine the extent of his service-connected disability.

The veteran's left total knee replacement is rated at 30 percent, effective July 1, 2001. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, including based on exposure to herbicides, and the RO denied service connection for residuals of a left knee injury. The veteran's claim was reopened due to new evidence received since the April 1997 decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and left ankle disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum to a VA examination report. The veteran's claim for service connection for his right knee disorder will be reconsidered based on all evidence of record.

The Board found that the veteran's right leg disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The left knee disorder was also not granted as it did not develop due to any incident during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's substantive appeal was not timely filed with respect to her claims for service connection for left shoulder and foot disorders, as well as an increased evaluation for a left knee disability. As such, these matters are dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a conclusion that the veteran's right knee disability was causally related to any incident of his military service, including due to aggravation of a pre-existing knee injury. As such, the claim for service connection for a right knee disorder was denied.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to a previous examination and x-rays, and will provide a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to assess whether the appellant's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining and maintaining employment. The issues of service connection for lumbar spine stenosis and reopening the claim for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine are also on appeal.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence showing a current bilateral leg disability, including a bilateral knee disability, incurred in or aggravated by service. As such, the veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The appeal is currently pending due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for osteomyelitis of the right hip, effective March 12, 1997. The veteran's left knee disorder is considered secondary to his service-connected right hip disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the veteran's claims of service connection for refractive error, back disorder, and left knee disorder. The case is being remanded to provide a VA examination for the left knee disorder and ensure compliance with notification requirements under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran's traumatic osteoarthritis of both knees warrants a 10 percent disability rating, as there is no evidence of more severe impairment.