Knee decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine the etiology of his left knee disorder and hepatitis C.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling of VA examinations and obtaining additional medical records.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a permanent and total cardiac disability and bilateral knee conditions, are found to be equivalent to the loss of use of one lower extremity with residuals. A certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing is granted.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for lumbosacral pain, chondromalacia of the left knee, and chondromalacia of the right knee are being remanded due to procedural issues.

The veteran's service-connected patellofemoral syndrome, right knee and left knee are currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The veteran's service-connected left ankle condition is also rated at 10 percent. The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability has been reopened, and he is granted an increased rating for his right knee impairment. The lumbar spine issue remains unchanged.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for scars of the knees, arthritis of the hands, and both knees, as well as macular degeneration of the left eye. The appellant did not have these conditions during his military service or within one year after discharge.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and bilateral knee/hip osteoarthritis, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship to his period of active service or to any service-connected conditions. The decision also noted that the veteran did not meet the requirements for TDIU.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected right knee and shoulder disabilities, with ratings of 20 percent each.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability, postoperative total knee arthroplasty, warrants a rating of 30 percent prior to August 1, 2000. As of August 1, 2000, the disability is rated at 30 percent.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected status postoperative meniscectomy and arthrotomy of the right knee, effective March 8, 1999. The claim for increased evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the right knee is also granted.

The veteran is seeking a higher disability rating for his service-connected postoperative chondromalacia of the left knee, which was initially granted with a 10 percent evaluation. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a left knee disability. The RO has requested additional medical records and will conduct an examination to determine the etiology of any such disability, including whether it is related to military service or his service-connected back and right knee disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for VCAA compliance and additional medical examination.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case is now being sent back to the RO for obtaining the veteran's clinical records from Kaiser Permanente.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation for osteochondritis dissecans of the left knee, but denied service connection for traumatic arthritis of the left knee. The veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling.

The veteran's left knee disability, which is currently rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5257 (for slight recurrent subluxation or lateral instability), does not more nearly approximate a moderate degree of impairment. The evidence shows only slight limitation of motion with pain on movement.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed back and right knee disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his period of active military service.