Knee decisions — 2003

The veteran's service-connected right knee meniscus tear and degenerative joint disease have been rated at 20 percent since April 1, 2000. Prior to February 11, 2000, the rating was 10 percent.

The Board has ordered further development due to the invalidation of certain provisions by a court ruling. The veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is being remanded for additional examination and consideration.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for VA examinations. The appeal is currently remanded to allow for these steps.

The Board denied service connection for chest tightness and bilateral knee disability, as well as the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right elbow disorder, left elbow disorder, and low back strain.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service medical records and the need for further development.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee and back disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin condition and for residuals of a left leg or knee injury, finding that the veteran's current conditions are related to events in service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral knee disability, and right shoulder disability are still pending.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for headaches, status post left eye injury, and denied any increase in the rating for chondromalacia of the left knee.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for left knee disability is granted, and he is also granted secondary service connection for left hip disability as related to right knee instability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, amputation of both fifth toes, and arthritis of the hips, knees, and fingers. The denial was based on a determination that no new and material evidence had been presented to reopen the claim for bronchitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia, residuals of a neck injury, residuals of a left knee injury, and a bilateral ankle disability due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board found that the appellant likely incurred a left knee injury during service, which resulted in current complaints of pain. The Board granted service connection for the residuals of this ligament injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of arthritis during his active duty and no current diagnosis. The Board concluded that the veteran did not have a chronic disease in service or any nexus to service.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the service-connected left foot disability, effective January 6, 1992.

The Board found that the veteran's chondromalacia patella, right knee does not meet the criteria for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a cold injury, but the issue of whether these disabilities are related to his military service remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a cold injury to the hands, finding that it is more likely than not that the veteran's current symptoms are due to his in-service frostbite. The other issues remain pending.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability was denied by the RO, with a final evaluation of 20 percent effective February 2001.