Knee decisions — 2004

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of frostbite, including peripheral neuropathy, cold sensitization, arthritis, circulatory problems, fungal infection, and chronic night pain; a low back disorder; a left knee disorder; a left hip disorder; and a left hand disorder. The claim for skin cancer was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability warrants a 20 percent rating, reflecting moderate impairment.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for patellofemoral syndrome and traumatic arthritis of the left knee since June 16, 1999.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including the provision of a VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found no evidence of current bilateral shin splints or arthritis of the knees related to service. The appellant's knee disability was diagnosed approximately 23 years after his separation from military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of a left knee injury, a low back disability, or bilateral pes planus. The claims are denied.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining new evidence and arranging a VA examination. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability, and entitlement to an increased rating for residuals of thoracic spine injury, including degenerative arthritis, will be considered.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, facial rash, and right knee disability due to exposure in the Southwest Asia theatre during the Persian Gulf War. The appeals were decided as direct service connection cases.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability and denied entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disability.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a right knee disorder as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability and an increased rating for his left knee disability. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations, is necessary before the claims can be fully reviewed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral knee disability is related to his active service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and right foot disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral defective hearing, a chronic left knee disorder, constant chest pain, and head trauma residuals, were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examinations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected disabilities, finding that none of them meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for chondromalacia of the right patella, but denied an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for chondromalacia of the left patella.

The veteran's bronchial asthma is rated at a 30 percent evaluation, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current left knee disability is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for a left ankle disorder. The veteran's claim for service connection for left hip and knee disorders will be addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.