Knee decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for insomnia and fatigue, bilateral elbow pain, left knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions were incurred in service or related to his service-connected skin condition.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of an inguinal hernia was denied. The right knee disability claim has not been reopened, and service connection for a psychiatric disorder as secondary to the back disability is granted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete information and procedural issues, including the need for a higher rating for mitral valve regurgitation, reopening of her low back disability claim, and increased ratings for shin splints.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and further development of evidence related to the veteran's claimed low back, bilateral knee, left hip, and left ankle disorders.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, a bilateral knee disorder, and coronary artery disease. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C, Heart Disease (Congestive Heart Failure), and a Right Knee Disorder. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Board has determined that service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee is granted, as it is considered a residual of an in-service injury.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bilateral upper and lower extremity numbness and an arthritic disorder to include arthritis of the knees, but denied these claims as new and material evidence was not presented. The RO previously denied service connection for these conditions in 1996.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment, but further medical examination is needed to determine the extent of his disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a videoconference hearing.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee injury, as no such evidence was provided. The decision is considered 'mixed' due to the finality of previous decisions.

The veteran's right femur and left knee scars are rated at 30 percent, while his low back disorder is rated at 40 percent. The RO granted the increased disability ratings for all three conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further evidentiary development and procedural development, including scheduling a personal hearing before an RO hearing officer.

The RO granted a 30 percent rating for right knee replacement effective October 1, 2004. The veteran's other claims were denied.

The Board denied reopening the claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a right knee injury due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease and bilateral hip disorder, both secondary to the veteran's right knee patellectomy with marked muscle atrophy, joint laxity, and instability.

The veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and instability have been granted increased ratings, but the specific effective dates are not provided.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations for his left elbow, right and left knee disabilities, and atrial fibrillation. The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.