Knee decisions — 2004

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 30 percent. The VA denied claims for right shoulder, neck, and hip disorders, headaches, finger amputations, and below the knee amputations as not related to his service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for right knee, back, and ulnar neuropathy of the right wrist and arm disabilities secondary to a left knee disability. However, the decision on whether these conditions are service-connected remains pending.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA physician to provide an opinion on the relationship between his service-connected condition and the claimed conditions.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 10 percent for left knee instability and postoperative left knee disability with post-traumatic osteoarthritic changes, effective May 1, 2002. The increased rating claim for residuals of a left peroneal nerve injury was denied.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 10 percent for both the veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral joint syndromes effective November 1, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have tendonitis of the right knee and degenerative arthritis of the right knee was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's TMJ and left knee disability have been granted service connection, with the TMJ receiving a noncompensable evaluation and the left knee receiving a 10 percent evaluation effective from November 2, 1998. The left knee disability was later increased to 20 percent effective September 29, 2000.

The veteran's left knee disability, which includes residuals of a partial medial menisectomy, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in rating beyond this level.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability, characterized by pain and limited range of motion, warrants a rating of 10 percent for traumatic arthritis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a stress fracture of the right fibula were incurred in service, and thus granted service connection for this condition. The decision on the right knee disorder is pending as it requires additional development.

The Board has granted the application to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for a back disorder. The remaining claims, including those related to immune system damage, myositis, psychiatric disorders, COPD and asthma, actinic keratosis, right knee disorder, hiatal hernia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, are remanded for further development.

The veteran's service-connected conditions, including neurofibromatosis and related disabilities, make him incapable of performing daily activities without regular aid and attendance.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected right foot disability did not cause or chronically worsen his bilateral knee and venous insufficiency disabilities. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The veteran's multiple disabilities, including COPD rated at 100%, do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The veteran is seeking a higher initial rating for his service-connected right knee disability and an earlier effective date for the award of service connection. The case has been remanded to allow further development.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and adjudication due to a lack of notification and assistance as required by the VCAA. The veteran is seeking an extension of his eligibility period for VR services, which would allow him to pursue additional training in public health or nursing.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee arthritis were denied by the RO.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on current symptoms and diagnostic criteria.

The Board found that the veteran did not have current knee, hip, or stomach disorders that had their origins in service. The dental disorder claim was also denied as there is no evidence of a service-connected noncompensable condition resulting from combat wounds or service trauma.