Knee decisions — 2004

The veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, which is claimed to be secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability, has been remanded due to the need to consider additional medical evidence submitted by the veteran.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and residuals of a left middle finger injury as there is no evidence of chronic disability during or after military service.

The Board denied reopening the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence and a need for further development of service records.

The veteran claims his current bilateral knee problems are related to an injury in service. The RO has ordered additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a right knee disability or left knee disability incurred during service, and thus the veteran's claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee. The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits is also granted.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a left knee disability. The Board has determined that further examination and development are needed to determine the nature and etiology of his current left knee disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient examinations and compliance with VCAA requirements.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is being remanded due to the need to obtain and review his service medical records, as well as schedule him for an orthopedic examination.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The examiner noted that the veteran had arthritis resulting in occasional swelling and pain with a limitation of flexion to not less than 70 degrees.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to VCAA compliance issues and need for additional VA examinations.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right and left knee disorders, but granted service connection for alcohol and drug addiction secondary to PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The right knee and left knee disorders were also not shown to be related to service.

The veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities have been rated, but the Board finds no evidence to support increased ratings beyond the current assigned disability ratings.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development of his medical records and lack of information on exposure basis. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The veteran's right knee chondromalacia and medial meniscal tear residuals are service-connected, as is his lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease with L3 and L4 vertebral fracture residuals. The disability evaluations for the left total knee replacement residuals have been increased.