Knee decisions — 2003

The Board has granted service connection for traumatic arthritis of the left knee and assigned a 10 percent evaluation, effective January 7, 2000. The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is also granted.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and the need for additional evidence. The case is now remanded back to the RO for specific actions.

The veteran's service-connected right knee disability, postoperative residuals of a meniscectomy with osteoarthritis, is manifested by slight instability and evidence of arthritis with less than compensable limitation motion. A combined rating of 20 percent is warranted for the veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case regarding his claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities. The appeal is currently pending due to ongoing administrative issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a back injury, right knee and bilateral ankle and leg disorders are granted. The issue of service connection for a right wrist and right hand disorder is remanded due to additional development needed under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran's arthritis of both hips, right knee, and left knee are not service connected as they are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected disability.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support the claim of additional right hip and left knee disabilities due to staphylococcus bacteremia during or as a result of VA hospitalization in September 1991. The claims are therefore denied.

The veteran's low back and right knee disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service. His PTSD has been granted with a 100% rating since the effective date of service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus, thalassemia minor with chronic anemia, and internal derangement of the left knee.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss, gastrointestinal disorder, sinusitis, cervical spine disorder (neck injury), left elbow disorder, left shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, or left ankle disorder. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding service connection for various knee and back disorders, as well as a headache disorder. The case is now remanded for additional evidence collection and examination.

The Board denied an increased rating for the service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound of the left knee, currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a failure to comply with VCAA requirements.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any knee disorder or right ear hearing loss, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board denied the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including left wrist and leg/knee injuries, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder, are not related to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence and clarification. The case is now being remanded back to the RO for a VA orthopedic examination and other necessary actions.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case regarding his claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability. The appeal is currently pending and will be remanded to the RO for additional development.