Knee decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability is a result of disease or injury that was aggravated during his active military service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for post-polio syndrome and degenerative joint disease of the right hip and both knees, which were previously denied in December 1997 and April 2000.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection, but denied the claim as there was no medical evidence linking the current right knee disability to an injury sustained during military service.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a current left knee disorder and her service-connected lumbosacral strain is currently evaluated at 10 percent. The claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board found no evidence of an in-service knee injury and insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between the current left knee disorder and service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's post-traumatic arthritis of both knees does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as there is no evidence of limitation of motion to at least 15 degrees in either knee.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right ankle disorders, but these issues are now REMANDED to obtain additional medical records and an etiological opinion.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to deficiencies in VCAA notice and the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected left knee disorder from September 1, 1998 to March 6, 1999. Additionally, it has awarded a separate 10 percent evaluation for partial subluxation and instability of the left knee.

The RO has granted service connection for a right knee disorder and assigned a 10 percent rating. The veteran's claim is being remanded due to outstanding evidence.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for additional right knee disability and depression due to treatment at VA facilities from 1991 to the present, including surgical procedures in October 1998 and March 1999. The evidence did not show that these conditions were caused by VA care or negligence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing right knee injury, now manifested as degenerative arthritis, was aggravated by his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining medical records.

The RO granted a 10% rating for the service-connected internal derangement of the right knee, effective July 2002. The veteran's claim for residuals of a pilonidal cyst was not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and osteoarthritis of multiple joints (including the knees) due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The only post-service medical records are from many years after service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the left knee and ankle are being remanded due to procedural issues, including a need for proper VCAA notice and a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and his claimed stressors have not been corroborated. The left knee disorder, liver disorder, and peripheral neuropathy are not service-connected as they were not shown to be related to active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a VA examination and review of the claims file.

The veteran's claim for service connection for musculoskeletal disability, including as a qualifying chronic disability due to service in the Persian Gulf War, is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected internal derangement of the left and right knees, finding that the conditions did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.