Knee decisions — 2003

The Board has remanded the case to obtain a medical opinion addressing whether the veteran's current left knee disability is at least as likely as not associated with his service and if it pre-existed service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability is service-connected and granted a rating of 30 percent for this condition. The ratings for left knee instability (20%) and limitation of motion/pain (10%) remain unchanged.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for postoperative residuals of left knee fusion due to arthritis from April 16, 1992, to December 23, 1997. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for this condition is now at the maximum schedular evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5256.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to additional evidence and a request for a new examination of the veteran's knees.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding the veteran's right knee disorder. The case is now being sent back for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and evidence needs to be gathered. The case will be returned for additional consideration.

The Board found that the veteran's left hip disability and degenerative joint disease of both knees are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected lymphoma with spinal cord involvement, granting the claims for secondary service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a shell fragment wound of the left knee do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and his PTSD does not warrant an increased evaluation.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of residuals from a shell fragment wound to his right knee.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and procedural defects. The case is now remanded for additional consideration.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development due to incomplete examinations and compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's right knee disorder, currently characterized as degenerative joint disease of the right knee. The claim for left knee disorder is pending and will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for her service-connected right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase.

The Board granted a combined 20 percent rating for degenerative joint disease of the knees, including consideration of separate ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5003 and 5257. The claim for service connection for a low back disability was also granted.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed knee and cervical spine disorders, as well as his right heel plantar fasciitis, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The left ankle disorder was rated at 10 percent based on degenerative arthritis.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating of his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a more comprehensive examination and review.

The VA has determined that the veteran's right knee disability does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection of right shoulder, neck, lower back, and right knee disorders. The claim for a right shoulder disorder was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The Board also found that these disorders were not incurred or aggravated during military service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and extent of any current knee disability, and then readjudicate the claim based on the additional evidence.