Knee decisions — 2004

The Board found that the appellant's left knee disability did not originate in service and is not related to her military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to consider his claims for a higher rating and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete service records and outstanding medical records.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a right knee condition that he believes is secondary to his already service-connected left knee injury. The Board has determined that further examination and development are needed before the claim can be decided.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and lack of authorization for release of information.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed left lower leg and right knee disabilities are not related to his military service. The evidence does not show a chronic disability during or within one year after service, nor is there any medical opinion linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's death was caused by congestive heart failure, which was aggravated by his service-connected anxiety disorder. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a disability of the left leg independent and distinct from her service-connected low back condition. The initial evaluations for hallux valgus, postoperative, right foot and left foot are denied as they do not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent. The initial evaluation for retropatellar pain syndrome, right knee is denied as it does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent. The initial evaluation for total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy due to uterine fibroids (previously evaluated as uterine fibroids) has been granted and remains at a 30 percent evaluation from December 1, 1996 through November 14, 1997. The veteran's condition is now rated as 50 percent disabling from March 1, 1998.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of evidence and needs further review.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder, which was previously denied in September 1981.

The Board has found that the veteran's service-connected left knee disorder warrants a rating of 60 percent, effective from August 1, 2001. The right knee issue is remanded for further consideration.

The veteran is seeking service connection for right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities. The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a final decision can be made.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his left knee disability has been granted. His TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for a chronic acquired disorder of the right knee and variously diagnosed skin disorders claimed as rash. The veteran's claims are granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings were denied. The Board found that the veteran did not have current disabilities related to hives, wrist disorders, carpal tunnel syndrome, or a lumbar spine disorder. Service connection was also denied for chronic sinusitis and seasonal allergies and migraine headaches.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee disability did not begin during service and is not related to any incident of service, including a stove explosion in Korea. As such, the claim for service connection for residuals of a left knee injury is denied.

The Board has assigned a 20 percent disability evaluation for the service-connected residuals of a fracture of the left femur, to include left knee disability, effective April 14, 1998.

The Board denied service connection for left knee and right knee disabilities, as well as increased ratings for the left thigh SFWs and third degree burn scars of the left upper arm.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected status post fracture of the right tibia and fibula warrants a disability rating of 20 percent, effective October 27, 2000. The veteran's right knee disability is not considered for separate ratings as it is encompassed within the current evaluation.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with a combined rating of 60 percent for IVS status post-operative laminectomy, L4-5. Service connection was also established for chondromalacia of the left knee as secondary to his service-connected IVS, but not for the right knee.