Knee decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his left knee condition and for service connection for hearing loss, rectal stenosis, and benign prostatic hypertrophy. The leukopenia claim was also denied as there were no symptoms attributable to it.

The Board found that the veteran's substantive appeal for an increased rating for chondromalacia, right knee was untimely filed. The claim for a higher initial rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee is granted with a 10 percent rating.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to incomplete development and need for updated medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and procedural issues, requiring further development of evidence.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, finding that there was no new evidence to reopen the claims or sufficient medical evidence to support higher disability ratings.

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for his service connection of a scar as a residual of removal of recurring Baker's cyst behind the right knee. The RO has been instructed to attempt to obtain additional service records and contact the NPRC again.

The veteran is seeking to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a left knee disability. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying the nature of the veteran's hearing request, is needed before the case can be reviewed.

The case is being remanded to the RO for further development and readjudication of the claims for service connection due to new evidence and changes in law.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The RO scheduled the veteran for a VA psychiatric examination to assess his PTSD, and an orthopedic examination to assess his right knee disability.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for her left and right knee disorders is being remanded to the RO for further development, including a comprehensive VA examination.

The Board denied all issues on appeal, including increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected low back disorder, right knee disability, and hypertension.

The Board denied secondary service connection for bilateral hip and knee disorders, but granted increased ratings of 20% each for the veteran's right foot hallux varus with digit contraction and left foot hallux abducto-valgus with digit contraction.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against establishing a link between the veteran's left knee and bilateral foot disorders and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic arthritis of the right knee and increased its evaluation to 20 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing right knee condition did not worsen during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that a back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to the veteran's service-connected knee disabilities. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a back disorder secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities was denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected right knee injury is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for reopening his service connection claims for bilateral knee, back, right shoulder, and bilateral leg disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of evidence and a need for further examination.