Knee decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral knee and kidney disabilities are not related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating greater than 40 percent for his right knee disability and denied his attempts to reopen his left knee disorder on secondary basis. The RO granted service connection for status post medial meniscectomy of the left knee with noncompensable evaluation, and traumatic arthritis of the left knee with painful motion also awarded a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues arising from the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been granted, but the assigned disability ratings are not as favorable as requested. The initial compensable ratings were denied in several cases.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right knee disability warrants a 20 percent rating, as it results in functional loss equivalent to limitation of flexion to 30 degrees or limitation of extension to 15 degrees.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or due to being housebound has been remanded by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The RO is instructed to obtain relevant records from the Social Security Administration, schedule a VA aid and attendance/housebound examination, and contact private medical providers who completed VA Forms 21-2680.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a need for further examination. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The veteran's claim of service connection for a left above the knee amputation is being remanded due to failure to comply with VCAA requirements. The RO must provide proper notice and assist in obtaining all relevant medical evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis as secondary to the veteran's service-connected residuals of a total right knee replacement. The rating for residuals of a total right knee replacement remains at 30 percent prior to December 8, 2003.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for rheumatoid arthritis of the right knee, effective from February 2, 1999.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and entitlement to a total compensation rating based on individual unemployability were denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board denied entitlement to a compensable evaluation for the veteran's left knee disability from January 30, 1996 and denied entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the same period. The Board also denied entitlement to an evaluation greater than 10 percent from March 3, 1997 to July 22, 1997 and from September 1, 1997 to January 10, 2001. However, the Board granted a rating of 20 percent for left knee disability from January 10, 2001.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and conduct further development of his claim for increased ratings for left knee disabilities.

The Board denied a claim for an increased evaluation for relaxation of the collateral ligaments of the left knee, finding that the veteran's total left knee arthroplasty was related to his nonservice-connected degenerative arthritis and not aggravated by or accelerating his service-connected ligament disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected left knee disorder is being remanded due to outstanding medical records and the need for a current VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of available service medical records and for clarification on the diagnoses and etiology of the veteran's right knee, right wrist, and right elbow disabilities.

The Board denied an increased rating for varicose veins and thrombophlebitis, left leg and denied service connection for degenerative arthritis, left knee. The appellant was not provided a statement of the case regarding his denial of service connection for degenerative arthritis, left knee.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing right knee, left knee, and left ankle disabilities were aggravated by his military service. As such, these conditions are now considered to be service-connected.

The VA determined that the appellant does not have a current left knee disability and found no evidence linking his claimed condition to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any low back, hip, knee, or pes planus disability that might be present.