Knee decisions — 2004

The VA determined that the veteran's left knee disability, which is service-connected and rated at 20 percent, does not warrant a higher rating based on more severe symptoms or limitations.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the veteran's claimed stressor occurred during his military training. Service connection was also granted for left ankle, right ankle, left knee, right knee, and cervical spine disabilities based on new evidence received since the last denial.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a scheduled Travel Board hearing. He must be notified of the date and time of the new hearing at an appropriate RO.

The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation and adjudication due to new evidence received after the issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The veteran's claim for specially adapted housing assistance or a special home adaptation grant is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The veteran's claim for VA compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an above-the-knee right leg amputation is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and a need for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical examination to assess the severity of the veteran's right knee disability and determining whether he is entitled to a separate rating for instability. The appeal will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine and arthritis of the left knee, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has vacated the previous decision and remanded the case for further action consistent with a Court Order. The veteran's claim is now before the RO for initial consideration of new evidence.

The veteran's left below-the-knee amputation is being remanded for additional development to determine if the care was negligent and whether he should be compensated under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as arthritis of the knees. The veteran's initial claims were denied in April 1948 and November 1959, respectively, with no new or material evidence submitted to reopen these claims.

The RO granted service connection for mechanical low back pain effective from November 18, 1997. The veteran's claims of increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied.

The Board denied a combined rating in excess of 40 percent for the veteran's service-connected right knee disability, finding that the current rating adequately reflects his symptoms and limitations.

The Board found that there is no evidence of limitation of motion or functional impairment in the veteran's knees, and thus denied an initial compensable evaluation for retropatellar pain syndrome of both knees.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible evaluation of 50 percent. His diabetes mellitus, skin disorder, and malaria are all evaluated as non-compensable. The Board granted a 10 percent evaluation for his skin disorder. The veteran's claims for higher evaluations for diabetic neuropathy of the four extremities were denied.

The Board denied an increased rating for residuals, status post right medial meniscectomy and generalized ligamentous laxity. However, it granted a separate 10 percent disability rating for arthritis of the right knee.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed left knee and left ankle disorders are not service-connected, while his pes planus is currently service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left leg disability, including the knee and ankle, as secondary to his right ankle disability. The case was remanded due to procedural issues related to VCAA notice.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee strain and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine are being remanded to allow for additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral vascular disease (claimed as circulatory problems), degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 and generalized annular bulging at L3-L4 and L4-5, post-traumatic stress disorder, bronchitis, knee disorders, headaches, and hand coordination problems, were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The veteran's claims are denied as they do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure in Vietnam.