Knee decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tremors, bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease are all service-connected. The evidence supports these findings.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, manifested by pain, slight instability, and arthritis with limitation of flexion to 85 degrees, warrants a separate 10 percent rating for each condition (arthritis and instability).

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to the RO for additional development and consideration.

The RO denied increased ratings for the veteran's right knee and small bowel scar conditions, as well as his claim to reopen a back disorder secondary to his service-connected right knee. The RO found that new evidence did not warrant reopening the back disorder claim.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and found that it began during active duty. The claim for bilateral knee disability was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted, and the denial remains final. The claim for left shoulder disability was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Board determined that sinusitis did not begin in or is aggravated by service, and therefore denied service connection. Headaches were similarly found not incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board found that the appellant's current chronic back condition is not related to his military service and denied his claim. The bilateral knee condition was also not linked to his service, as no medical evidence linking it to his active duty was provided.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected bilateral knees. The case was remanded multiple times, and additional evidence was obtained but no new decision has been made.

The veteran is entitled to an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU for compensation purposes, effective on August 3, 1995.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have instability of his right knee, and therefore, he is not entitled to a separate compensable evaluation for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for arthralgia of the left knee and service connection for minimal shortness of breath and cramping of hands, feet and toes.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and a right knee disorder due to incomplete medical records, lack of examination, and other procedural issues.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability secondary to the right knee disability and denied increased ratings for right knee instability and arthritis. The claim of entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability was granted.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disability is not related to his service-connected knee disability, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, a bilateral knee disability, and residuals of cold injury to his face, hands, and feet. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's arthritis of the right knee, both hands, wrists, and cervical and lumbar spine is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Board granted increased ratings of 20 percent for traumatic arthritis of the right and left knees, effective April 29, 1996.

The veteran's appeal involves increased ratings for various knee and back conditions, including DJD of the lumbosacral spine, bursitis of the right trochanteric bursa, arthritis, instability, and postoperative residuals of a medial meniscectomy. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.