Knee decisions — 2004

The Board has granted service connection for dental trauma to tooth number 8, and the veteran's claims for residuals of a back injury, left knee injury, spinal cord tumor, collapsed lung, and rectal bleeding and polyps are all denied.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the May 1997 RO decision that assigned a January 9, 1995 effective date for a 10 percent rating for left knee fracture with degenerative joint disease. The veteran's claim of earlier effective date was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to scheduling issues, including a need for another travel Board hearing.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development of his claims for increased disability ratings for left knee and left hip conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's combined service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for a TDIU, granting his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the current severity of the service-connected disabilities at issue.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his right knee disability. The issue of monetary compensation for convalescence following right knee surgery will also be addressed.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left lower extremity conditions, including left Achilles tendon rupture and left ankle pain, as secondary to his service-connected post-traumatic arthritis of the right knee. The spine condition is also claimed as secondary to this disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to provide VCAA notice.

The veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the knees and bilateral epicondylitis of the elbows are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from the VAMC in Lyons, New Jersey, and Somerset Medical Center.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete evidence and need for VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition, nicotine dependency, and sinus headaches. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and ensure compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the veteran's right knee disability and has determined that a separate 10 percent evaluation is warranted for his left knee meniscectomy. The service connection claim for the left knee disability as secondary to the right knee disability is also granted.

The veteran's service-connected right ankle fracture, left knee injury, and right knee injury are each rated at the maximum available evaluation of 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an orthopedic examination.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, while his right and left knee disorders are not shown to be service-connected.

The Board denied compensation benefits for additional disability of the left leg resulting from an above-the-knee amputation and its residuals due to VA medical and surgical treatment between September 1974 and March 1975.

The Board has determined that the appellant's pre-existing left knee disorder was aggravated by military service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for his left knee disability, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VCAA compliance and additional development is required.