Knee decisions — 2004

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to the veteran's claimed conditions and denied all service connection claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(k) for loss of use of his left foot, finding that he did not meet the criteria for such a benefit due to remaining functional capacity in his left leg.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for headaches or right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the veteran's disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for left knee disability, effective from April 1999. The right ankle fracture and bilateral pes planus are each rated as non-compensable.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a back injury and right knee disorder, finding that the arthritis in the low back was incurred during service but not attributing the right knee disorder to military service.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee osteochondritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, both rated at 20 percent. The appeals are based on direct service connection.

The veteran's claims are being remanded for further development and consideration.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and low back disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The RO will schedule the veteran for a hearing before RO personnel.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and conducting further examinations.

The VA awarded a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected right knee chondromalacia, effective from September 28, 2000.

The veteran's right knee disabilities, including arthritis and a fractured knee with instability, are rated at 30 percent effective from November 18, 2000.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and an earlier effective date are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his right knee condition is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and assessment.

The veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has ordered remand to gather additional evidence and possibly reassess his condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder, right ankle, and bilateral knee disabilities are related to his military service. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability is aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. The claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, status post meniscectomy, was granted.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The lumbar spine disorder was rated at 10 percent, and the right knee disorder was also rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's current left knee disability was not incurred in service and is not related to his service-connected left femur fracture. The VA medical examiner concluded that the left knee disability is more likely secondary to and exacerbated by residuals of a right leg amputation at the knee.