Knee decisions — 2004

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are denied. The RO has already granted an effective date of August 10, 1994, for his total rating based on individual unemployability and the increased evaluations for the right and left knee disabilities as of that date.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a left total hip arthroplasty and denied increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for a left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notification and assistance.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his conditions did not render him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of evidence to determine the current status and etiology of the veteran's claimed disabilities, including hearing loss, malaria residuals, cold injury to the feet, PTSD, back disorder, knee disorders, respiratory disorder, and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of the service-connected knee disorders. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions are completed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a need for additional examinations and consideration of the veteran's claim.

The Board has granted increased evaluations of 20 percent each for arthritis of the right and left knees, finding that the veteran's symptoms are moderate.

The veteran's right leg Osgood-Schlatter disease and degenerative joint disease of the right knee are currently rated at 10 percent. The temporary total disability rating claim based on hospitalization in October 1997 was denied as the surgery was for a nonservice-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed eye condition, left knee arthritis, blackouts, and lump on the right testicle as a result of asbestos exposure due to lack of competent medical evidence showing current disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion from the May 2004 examiner or scheduling an orthopedist examination if unavailable. The veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability will be adjudicated again after all requested actions are completed.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his traumatic arthritis of the right knee with a history of loose body, as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Board found no evidence of current disability with respect to the veteran's hands, knees or right hip. The Board denied service connection for arthritis and disc disease of the lumbar spine, and arthritis of the thoracic spine, hands, knees, and hips as there was a complete absence of competent medical evidence relating these disabilities to any incident, injury or disease of active military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the hips and right knee. The Board found that these conditions are related to injuries sustained during military service, leading to a determination in favor of granting service connection.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right ankle fracture secondary to the service-connected right knee disability and denied entitlement to a temporary total rating for convalescent purposes. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability was granted with a 20% evaluation effective March 6, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disability did not have its onset during service and is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and there is no evidence to support service connection for left knee disability or degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability, arthritis of the knees, and residuals of blood poisoning of the left great toe. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has found that the appellant's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine originated during his active service and granted service connection for this disability. The other issues were not addressed in detail.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia of the right knee, a scar of the right knee, and migraine headaches were denied. The RO found that the veteran was already in receipt of the maximum rating available under applicable criteria.