Knee decisions — 2004

The Board found no link between the right above the knee amputation and service-connected varicose veins, thus denying the claim. The veteran's other claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to separate compensable ratings for degenerative joint disease of both knees, effective March 9, 1994.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for a temporary total evaluation due to treatment for service-connected residuals of left knee injury. The claim for a rating higher than 30 percent for left knee injury residuals is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a testicular disorder and increased ratings for right knee, costochondritis, GERD, and IBS. The effective date is not specified.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated VCAA notice.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic post-operative right knee disorder, finding that the condition is not related to military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, including chondromalacia with arthritis of both knees, was reopened and granted. The rating for pes planus remains unchanged.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus existed prior to his entry into military service and is not related to active duty or ACDUTRA. The right knee disability, including patellofemoral pain syndrome and degenerative joint disease, are not found to be related to service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and an examination by a specialist in orthopedics.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee and right ankle disabilities are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or diagnosis. The arthritis was first diagnosed many years after service.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have residuals of shell fragment wounds to the left knee or ankle, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied. The scars from the left hand and thigh are evaluated as direct service-connected disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of peptic ulcer disease or arthritis of the knees in service, and denied both claims.

The veteran's hypertension was found to be related to his military service, but there were no residuals of a right knee or shoulder injury found.

The Board has granted an extension of the temporary total disability evaluation for the veteran's right knee meniscectomy residuals with osteoarthritis under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 until January 20, 1999, based upon convalescence following a July 1998 surgical procedure.

The veteran's service connection claims for a heart disability and left knee disability have been granted. The issues of initial ratings for cervical spine condition, pes planus, and bilateral hearing loss are pending.

The VA has determined that the veteran's left patellofemoral knee pain does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as it does not demonstrate more than mild pain-on-use and mild medial joint line tenderness during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current right knee disability and denied his claim for service connection.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's right knee disability, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the appellant's application to reopen her claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for further medical examination regarding the veteran's left eye injury and left knee disability.