Knee decisions — 2004

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to inadequate examination and VCAA compliance issues.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and application of new criteria. The veteran is advised that he should assist in this process.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic right ankle sprain and bilateral knee strain, finding that these conditions are likely due to injuries sustained during active duty.

The Board denied a higher initial rating for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, which was initially granted in June 1991 with an initial 10 percent evaluation. The case has been remanded multiple times and is currently before the Board again.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral wrist condition, low back disorder, and right knee condition. The evidence does not support a causal relationship between these conditions and his period of active duty.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal due to a lack of timely filing of a substantive appeal for his claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for right knee chondromalacia.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the M&ROC for clarification and initial consideration of his claims, including skin cancer which was not addressed in the previous rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee replacement and left hip replacement, finding that these conditions are proximately due to the veteran's gunshot wound in the left ankle. The effective date of this decision is not specified.

The Board found that the veteran's current left ankle and left knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor could they be presumed to have been so incurred. The appeal was denied.

The veteran's service-connected status post left medial meniscectomy with left knee instability is currently manifested by severe subluxation and moderate to severe lateral instability, warranting a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee strain and headaches, finding that these conditions are related to the veteran's military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a temporary total convalescent rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 based on outpatient treatment in May 1999 due to lack of severe postoperative residuals.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee disability is not service-connected, but his right knee disability claim was reopened and remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial evaluation greater than 10 percent for his left and right knee chondromalacia, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and reopening of service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, as well as finding that his right knee disability did not cause or aggravate his left knee and lumbar spine disabilities.

The VA determined that the veteran's residuals of a left knee injury, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, do not warrant an evaluation in excess of this rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including providing VCAA compliance and a VA medical examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder on a direct basis. However, the issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his secondary service connection claim is remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability and assigned a non-compensable rating (10%) effective March 31, 2002.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and an initial evaluation of 20 percent for the residuals of a left ankle fracture. The claim for hypercholesterolemia is being remanded.