Knee decisions — 2004

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded your claims to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. You will have 30 days from the date of this decision to file an appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) if you wish to do so.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development of the evidence, including obtaining additional service medical records and SSA disability file.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and service connection due to incomplete information, need for further examination, and potential changes in rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and the need for updated medical records. The veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being reviewed.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities, finding that the current evaluations of 30 percent and 10 percent are appropriate based on the symptoms described.

The Board has granted increased ratings for PTSD, left knee injury, and shrapnel wounds of the right foot and left thigh. The veteran is now rated at 70 percent for PTSD.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities of the right lower extremity have resulted in a significant impairment, necessitating his use of a cane and wheelchair for ambulation. As such, he is eligible for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for medical records and an addendum from a VA examiner.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing and VCAA notification.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected avulsion strain of the lateral collateral ligament of the left knee, post-operative. The disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected knee disabilities.

The veteran's left knee disorder was rated at 30 percent prior to April 17, 2000. From April 17, 2000 to March 28, 2001, the disability was characterized by severe instability and subluxation warranting a separate 30 percent rating for instability. Since June 1, 2002, the veteran's left knee disorder is rated at 60 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board found that the veteran's appeals for higher ratings and secondary service connection were not timely filed, resulting in their dismissal.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation by reason of being housebound was denied as he does not meet the threshold criteria of having a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right hip disabilities, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The case is being remanded for additional development of the record.

The Board has granted the veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for left knee disability and right hip disability as secondary to service-connected right knee disability. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions on the nature and etiology of the veteran's disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's postoperative residuals of the right knee and left knee warrant a 20 percent evaluation each, reflecting moderate recurrent subluxation or lateral instability.