Knee decisions — 2003

The Board found no objective evidence of a current bilateral knee disability and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and left shoulder disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current functional impairment.

The veteran claims an increased rating for his recurrent bilateral migratory thrombophlebitis, with varicosities below the knee. The RO has requested additional development to ensure all notification and development action required by the VCAA is completed.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for an amputation below the right knee and remanded the secondary service connection claims due to a need for additional medical evidence. The case is now being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, left knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and PTSD. The claim for hepatitis-C compensation was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee disability is service-connected, with consideration given to the evidence and material of record, including the opinions from medical professionals.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right knee disability and therefore, service connection for a right knee disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed low back, cervical spine, hand, Achilles tendon, and knee disorders are not service-connected due to lack of evidence supporting a finding of an underlying disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee condition is related to his service, specifically a shrapnel wound sustained during combat in Vietnam. Service connection for arthritis and strain of the left knee is granted.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the tear of anterior cruciate ligament and medial meniscus, right knee. The issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease, right knee is remanded due to procedural defects.

The veteran's increased rating for traumatic arthritis of the right knee with history of Baker's cyst from May 1, 2002 was granted.

The Board found no evidence of a current left knee disability that was incurred or aggravated by service, and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the hips, finding that it is attributable to running during service and exacerbated by a service-connected low back disorder. The claims for increased evaluations for chondromalacia patella (right and left knees) are remanded due to failure to provide proper notice under the VCAA.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his left knee disability, finding that he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination and is already receiving the highest possible rating under Diagnostic Code 5259.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee arthritis is a result of post-traumatic and degenerative changes sustained during service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right and left knee disorders, as well as her right and left foot disorders, are not related to service. The claim for fibromyalgia is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the veteran's current bilateral knee condition, including his history of Reiter's syndrome and osteoarthritis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, heart murmur, neck disorder, arthritis, and right knee disorder. The appeals were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO also continued the denial of his secondary service connection claim.

The Board has ordered further development in your case due to the need for additional evidence. Your right knee disability and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy claims are being remanded for additional development.