Knee decisions — 2004

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his left knee condition and obtain relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA records related to the veteran's hearing aids and scheduling a VA examination for his knee disability. The appeal will be reconsidered after these actions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities were denied as the medical evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current level of disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and a pilonidal cyst, finding that his pre-existing pilonidal cyst did not increase in severity during service beyond its natural progression.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the left knee, finding that there is evidence of a current disability in service and continuity of symptomatology since then.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosis of arthritis of the right knee is related to his service, specifically his paratrooper training and jumps. As a result, the claim for service connection for right knee disorder is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee disabilities and a psychiatric disability, finding no current evidence of these conditions. The low back disorder claim was also denied as there is no diagnosed condition.

The veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29 and 4.30 was denied because the surgery performed at a VA medical center on October 29, 2001, pertained to a nonservice-connected cervical spine disability.

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

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to lack of verified stressors. The issues of service connection for residuals from a head injury, headaches, and osteoarthritis in both knees are pending and require additional examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a new examination to determine the current level of the veteran's disability. The veteran is also referred to provide any evidence in their possession that pertains to the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private and VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's right knee disability will be evaluated again to determine if an increased evaluation is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the veteran's service-connected left knee disorder and his claimed low back disability. The rating for chondromalacia of the left knee remains under review.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right knee disability was not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a left knee disorder due to new and material evidence. The claims for extension of temporary total convalescent rating beyond April 30, 1999, and for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for post-operative residuals of a right knee injury were both denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need to comply with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA) and VA General Counsel precedent.

The veteran's disabilities, including a CVA with left hemiparesis (30%), arthritis of the shoulders, knees, and lumbar spine (10%), and hypertension (10%), do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension benefits based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The veteran's initial compensable evaluations for right and left knee retropatellar pain syndromes, as well as her left temple scar, have been granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a right foot or left knee disability that was caused or aggravated by service. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's maxillary sinusitis, migraine headaches, patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees, and cervicitis/dysplasia have been rated based on their current manifestations. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.