Knee decisions — 2004

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any left hip disorders.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for notification and development of evidence, including obtaining medical records from private healthcare providers.

The Board denied an increased rating for instability of the left knee, finding that the most recent medical evidence did not support a higher rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to inadequate review of the claims folder in previous examinations.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial compensable rating for scars due to arthroscopic surgery of the left knee were denied. The RO found that his degenerative changes of the left knee status post arthroscopy for lateral meniscus tear warranted a 10% disability rating, but did not meet criteria for an increased rating or initial compensable rating for his scars.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding his knee, ankle, appendectomy, and hemicolectomy.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations. The issues include service connection for left knee disability, low back disability, and headaches.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claims of service connection for shell fragment wounds of the left hand and traumatic injury to the left knee. The Board finds that these conditions are related to combat injuries sustained during active duty in Vietnam.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities, finding that they did not meet the criteria for higher disability evaluations.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and a right knee disability, finding that these conditions were not caused by or aggravated by the veteran's active service.,Service connection was also denied for prostate cancer residuals, with the effective date set at September 1, 2003.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for PTSD, a right knee disorder, and foot fungus. The veteran's original claims were denied in 1997 due to lack of new or significant material evidence.

The Board has restored the veteran's prior 60% disability rating for his service-connected total left knee replacement, effective from December 23, 1997.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and a need for further examination of the appellant's service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee disability secondary to right knee disability and increased rating for residuals of a right knee meniscectomy. The claim for new and material evidence regarding PTSD is also granted, reopening the previously denied claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of left knee, right hip, or left hip disorders. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied ratings in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's bilateral knee disorders, finding that the current severity did not warrant such a rating based on the objective findings and subjective complaints at the May 2004 examination.

The veteran's left knee disability, characterized by severe degenerative arthritis and limited motion, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that a separate 20 percent rating for the associated degenerative arthritis is warranted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and increased initial disability ratings for left knee ACL deficiency and osteoarthritis. The veteran was not granted service connection for PTSD due to lack of a current diagnosis. For his left knee disabilities, he received a 20 percent rating for ACL deficiency status post medial meniscectomy.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for further examination. The appellant's pre-existing knee disorders are being evaluated for aggravation beyond their natural progression in service.

The veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective June 12, 2001.,The veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent for instability and subluxation, and another 10 percent for traumatic arthritis with limitation of motion.