Knee decisions — 2004

The case is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed low back disorder and the current severity of the veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to failure to comply with VCAA notification requirements.

The Board denied an increased rating for residuals of medial meniscectomy of the left knee, finding that the disability did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of osteoarthritis of the right knee as secondary to postoperative chondromalacia, left knee with arthritic changes. The remaining issues of service connection for hypertension and increased evaluation for postoperative chondromalacia of the left knee are pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and notification in order to comply with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disorder and a head injury, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right knee and ankle conditions, have been evaluated based on their current manifestations. The heart disorder and pulmonary disorder claims are pending as they require further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical evidence and arranging for VA examinations to assess the veteran's low back disorder and bilateral knee disability.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. Service connection was also granted for hypertension and arthritis of the knees.

The veteran's claim for nonservice connected pension based on permanent disability is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations, particularly regarding possible psychiatric and cardiovascular disabilities.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to failure of the veteran to report for a VA examination and other procedural issues.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's bilateral chondromalacia knee conditions, finding that they did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on instability or arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and updated medical records.

The Board denied an increased rating for left below knee amputation and did not address the issue of entitlement to TDIU due to secondary service-connected disorders. The claim for TDIU is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The veteran's claim of service connection for a chronic left knee disability is pending.

The Board has granted higher initial evaluations for the service-connected right and left knee disabilities, with the right knee receiving a rating of 20 percent effective from March 14, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 14, 1999 for his total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The veteran was found not to be unemployable solely as a result of his service-connected conditions prior to that date.

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for further action, including consideration of new and material evidence under the revised version of 38 C.F.R. § 3.156(a). The veteran must provide information about any additional pertinent evidence he has.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to increased evaluations for his left knee disability and service connection for bilateral shoulder, sinus, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were related to service.