Knee decisions — 2004

The Board has granted service connection for right CTS, finding that the veteran's current condition is related to his active duty service. The issue of a left knee disability remains pending and will be scheduled for further examination.

The Board has reopened the claims for low back and left knee disorders, but denied reopening of the right knee disorder. The claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis is also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus, right knee disability, and right ankle disability are not service-connected as they were not shown during or related to his active duty.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his knee and back disabilities are being remanded due to the receipt of additional evidence. He is also seeking a higher initial evaluation for cervical spine disability.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for residuals of shrapnel wound, left knee and granted it. The new evidence submitted by the appellant is considered sufficient to reopen the previously denied claim.

The veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating, service connection for various disorders, and exposure to environmental hazards are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the veteran for VA examinations to assess his service-connected conditions. The RO will also consider whether a higher rating or staged ratings are warranted for his spondylolisthesis at L5.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying service dates.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of residuals of a left knee injury and remanded it to the RO for further development.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for residuals of a right knee injury due to new and material evidence received since the March 1976 rating decision. The examiner found that the veteran's current right knee condition is not related to his in-service injuries, but there are other medical records indicating progressive knee pain over years prior to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if service connection should be granted for a low back disorder and an increased disability rating for right knee disability.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current right knee and ankle disabilities to his service, including combat injuries or exposure to known risk factors. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and SSA disability benefits records. The veteran is also asked to provide information about his right knee injury during basic training.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his left hip and knee conditions are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, including from Keesler Air Force Base.

The veteran's appeal involves his left knee and back disabilities, which he claims are related to injuries sustained during service. The Board has ordered a search for additional service medical records and will schedule the veteran for an examination to determine if these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board found that the evidence did not reveal a right knee disorder related to an injury or disease incurred in military service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the criteria for a temporary total disability rating beyond June 30, 2003 are not met due to lack of severe post-operative residuals in the right knee.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting left knee disability did not worsen during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the veteran for examinations to assess his left knee and low back disabilities. The RO will also consider the revised rating criteria for evaluating intervertebral disc syndrome and other spinal disabilities.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for arthritis of the right hip, arthritis of the left hip, and chondromalacia of the left knee are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports from previous VA examinations.