Knee decisions — 2004

The June 24, 1992 rating decision that assigned special monthly compensation was not based on CUE and the veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for intermediate rate between subsections (l) and (m).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and chronic low back strain. The evidence did not support these claims as they were not of service origin.

The RO reduced the veteran's disability rating for his right knee condition from 60% to 30%, effective June 1, 2000. The reduction was upheld as appropriate based on improvement in the service-connected status post lateral meniscectomy, quadriceps tendon repair, and total right knee arthroplasty.

The Board found no evidence of a left knee injury during service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected scar, residual of a head injury, is characterized by a size of five centimeters by three centimeters and warrants a 10 percent disability rating under the current regulations.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The veteran's claimed psychiatric, right leg, gastrointestinal, and back disorders are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding service connection for PTSD and evaluating the veteran's left knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and separate evaluations of tinnitus, finding that a single evaluation for recurrent tinnitus is appropriate under Diagnostic Code 6260. The veteran's defective hearing was found to be due to noise exposure in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for an examination to determine if the veteran's current osteoarthritis of the right knee is etiologically connected to her in-service injury.

The RO granted service connection for left knee disorder, status post surgery and assigned a 10 percent rating. The veteran is requesting a higher initial rating.

The veteran's left knee disability, characterized by arthritis and postoperative residuals, is currently rated at 20 percent. A separate 10 percent rating for the arthritis is also granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his conditions do not prevent him from engaging in substantial and gainful employment.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for right knee condition and left knee chondromalacia patella, finding no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's service-connected right knee disability caused or aggravated his left knee and lumbar spine disabilities. The RO is instructed to obtain medical records, arrange for a VA examination, and readjudicate the claims.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left knee, os calcis, and hip conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities are rated at 20 percent combined, with a separate 10 percent rating for subluxation and laxity. The RO has continued the current ratings of 10 percent for fracture, left knee with medial meniscectomy and degenerative joint disease.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum from a VA physician regarding the etiology of the veteran's current left knee disorder and an orthopedic examination to determine the severity of the veteran's left ankle and cuboid disorders.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability and consideration of all relevant regulations.