Knee decisions — 2004

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected postoperative osteoarthropathy of the left knee is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a comprehensive VA examination.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for chondromalacia of the left knee, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase.

The veteran is seeking a higher rating for his right knee disorder, which includes degenerative joint disease and internal derangement. The case has been REMANDED due to the need for additional examination reports.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for left knee and left hip disabilities due to incomplete development, including a need for a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than November 21, 1994 and a rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected left knee disability. The veteran was granted a 50 percent rating from August 21, 1996 onwards.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of various shoulder and knee conditions have been denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection and a separate rating for his left knee condition due to inadequate development of evidence. The case is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board denied an initial rating greater than 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right and left knees.

The veteran's right knee disability is not related to his military service, and the claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if her right knee and left hip disorders are related to service.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance or on housebound status is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board found that the new evidence submitted by the appellant does not relate to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate his claim for service connection of a right knee disorder, and thus is not new and material. As such, the claim was denied.

The Board has granted the veteran's increased rating claims for his left knee, left foot hammertoes and hallux valgus, and right foot degenerative joint disease. The ratings are now at their maximum under VA regulations.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids, right knee meniscectomy, and left knee meniscectomy were denied as there is no evidence of subluxation or instability in either knee, and the medical findings do not support a higher rating based on functional loss due to pain.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left knee disability, finding that the current assigned ratings of 20 percent for recurrent subluxation or lateral instability and 10 percent for limitation of motion are appropriate.

The Board has denied the appellant's attempts to reopen his claims of service connection for migraine headache disorder, personality disorder, and arthritis of wrists, knees, and ankles. The evidence submitted does not meet the criteria for reopening these claims.

The Board has denied a rating greater than 30 percent for moderately severe ligamentous instability of the right knee joint with severe quadriceps atrophy.,The Board has also denied a rating greater than 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right knee.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeals concerning entitlement to service connection for loss of sight, chronic sinusitis, and an initial evaluation greater than 10 percent for impingement syndrome of the left shoulder. The issues have been withdrawn by the appellant.

The veteran seeks service connection for a total left knee replacement, but the RO has been unable to obtain his service medical records due to missing records. The case is being remanded to attempt to retrieve these records.