Knee decisions — 2004

The veteran's meralgia paresthetica affecting the right hip and thigh regions was found to have originated during service, resulting in a grant of service connection for this condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and Social Security Administration records. The VA will determine if the veteran's current psychiatric, right knee, low back, left ear disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability and degenerative joint disease of the first metatarsophalangeal joint of the left foot, finding that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his disabilities.

The Board finds that the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, warranting service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain missing service medical records and personnel files, as well as a VA examination to assess her current low back disability and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a chronic acquired low back disorder. The issue is now remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and further examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hip condition, which is diagnosed as degenerative joint disease, is secondary to his service-connected ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbosacral spine. The issue regarding the bilateral knee condition remains pending and will be addressed in a separate decision.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The veteran's disability in his lower extremities is manifested by subjective complaints of bilateral hip, knee and ankle pain; reported inability to walk more than 100 feet; gait disturbance; the use of a cane and wheelchair. The Board concludes that he does not meet the criteria for SMC based on loss of use of both legs.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and evaluation of the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the left knee, including obtaining additional medical records and determining the relationship between his in-service injury and current disability.

The Board found that the appellant's right knee injury was not incurred or aggravated during military service and denied his claim.

The Board finds that the appellant's service-connected left knee disability, characterized by chronic ligament tear and degenerative arthritis, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD and headaches are service-connected based on credible in-service stressors. The other issues were denied as they did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim that his current right knee disability is related to military service, and thus denied the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left and right knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a right knee disability, which he claims was incurred in service or secondary to his service-connected left knee condition. The case has been remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the appellant's left knee disability, which includes traumatic degenerative osteoarthritis and chondromalacia, as well as residuals from a partial medial and lateral meniscectomy with debridement. The current rating is in line with the severity of symptoms reported by the appellant.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred in service and are not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected bilateral knee or left fifth toe disabilities. The claim for an increased evaluation for cervical spine disability was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for drug addiction, chronic acquired right knee disorder, and chronic acquired left knee disorder. The evidence did not establish a nexus between current knee disorders and service.