Knee decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disorder does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new information and evidence, including a need to obtain medical records from Kaiser Permanente.

The veteran's left below-the-knee amputation is being remanded for further medical evaluation to determine if it was caused by VA medical treatment or the natural progression of his diabetes.

The Board has ordered further development in your case, including obtaining medical records and arranging for an examination. The appeal is currently on hold while the requested development is completed.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's left knee disability and a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disability. The VA found that no higher schedular rating was warranted for the left knee replacement, and concluded that the veteran was not unemployable solely due to his service-connected disability.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected left knee disability, left knee scar, pes planus, and dysentery are being remanded to the RO for additional development.

The veteran's left knee disability, characterized as deep laceration, left knee with synovitis and chondromalacia, postoperative partial lateral meniscectomy, is currently rated at 20 percent disabling.

The veteran's combined disability rating is 90 percent, which satisfies the criteria for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities, as they do not render him helpless or require assistance with daily activities.

The veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to be incurred in service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The other claims of service connection are also granted.

The veteran's appeal is for an increased evaluation of his service-connected left knee disability, which currently results in a 20 percent rating. The RO must consider whether the veteran experiences instability or subluxation as a residual of his lateral meniscectomy and if he has arthritis with limitation of motion and/or painful motion.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a low back, bilateral ankle, hip, or knee disability related to his service or a service-connected condition. The varicose veins of the right leg are rated at 20% prior to October 17, 2002.

The Board determined that the veteran does not have a chronic acquired right knee disorder linked to service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle and knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claims for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his left knee disability, as well as the current severity of his service-connected scar. The case will be returned to the RO after additional development is completed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the current severity of the veteran's service-connected cervical spine and right knee disorders.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records.

The veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records, medical opinions, and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service medical records from the veteran's active duty period in 2001-2003 and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the veteran currently has right shoulder and left knee disorders related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed back disorder, right hip disorder, right knee disorder, right leg disorder, psychiatric disorder, and blistered penis disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.