Knee decisions — 2003

The Board found that the veteran's right knee condition, characterized by degenerative joint disease and some limitation of motion, does not warrant an increased evaluation beyond the current 10 percent rating.

The veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, and his hidradenitis suppurativa with inclusion cysts and keloids on the chest wall, neck, and knees/elsbows; Seborrheic eczema on the knees and elbows are both currently rated at 30 percent. The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and degenerative spondylosis of the lumbar spine are being remanded to the RO for additional development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and arthritis of the right knee and hip, finding no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of evidence under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The case will be returned to the RO for further review.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate his service-connected right knee and low back disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for major depression and the left knee disability. The veteran is seeking a higher initial rating for his left knee disability.

The veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of frostbite to the feet and post-operative residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right knee are granted. The veteran does not have residuals of shell fragment wounds to the right lung or right side of the face (other than the jaw).

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and will review it in light of this additional information.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left inguinal hernia, bilateral knee condition, and hemorrhoids. The effective dates for a 10% evaluation of hiatal hernia and TDIU rating have been granted but the veteran disagrees with these effective dates.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim for service connection for a left lower extremity disorder, including arthritis of the knee and gout. The initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The veteran's right and left knee disabilities are rated at 30 percent each, while the residuals of his right radius fracture are rated at 20 percent. The RO has granted these ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability began during his active service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's right ankle and right knee disorders, as well as tinnitus, are still under consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of the evidence, including seeking alternate sources of the claimant's service medical records and reviewing the entire medical record to readjudicate the issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right and left knee disabilities were first manifested in service, granting his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a bilateral knee disorder were denied. The claim for service connection for the low back disorder was not addressed as it is pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the right knee, service connection for a disability of the left knee, and temporary total rating based on hospitalization due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to a procedural issue, and the case will be returned to the RO for further consideration.