Knee decisions — 2004

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for an increased initial disability rating of 20 percent for his left knee injury, effective July 9, 2001. The condition is currently manifested by recurrent pain and slight limitation of motion.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability, finding that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for shell fragment scars of the right elbow and both legs is denied. The May 1969 rating decision denying service connection for a right knee disability remains final. New and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a left leg or knee disorder due to new and material evidence. The claims for both conditions are remanded for further development, including an examination to determine if any current back or left leg disorders are related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including right ear hearing loss, bilateral knee condition, bilateral ankle condition, and headaches. The claims are therefore denied.

The veteran's claims for PTSD and left knee disability are being remanded due to incomplete development. Additional evidence is needed, including unit histories and morning reports from his military service.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to the veteran's claimed mouth injury and left knee injury, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a left knee condition. The veteran's previous claims were denied due to lack of new and material evidence, but recent evidence suggests his pre-service injury may be related to his current condition.

The veteran's claims of service connection for right knee sprain, residuals of pneumonia, and depression were granted. The other issues on appeal are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is required to determine if the veteran's right knee, lumbar spine, and left ankle conditions are proximately due or the result of his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board granted a 10 percent evaluation for arthritis of the left foot and reopened the claim for service connection for headaches. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to assess the current severity of the veteran's right knee disability. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board found that a chronic acquired right knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated during active service and cannot be presumed for osteoarthritis. The claim is therefore denied.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's chondromalacia of the right and left knees, but found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to his current condition.

The Board has granted initial 10 percent evaluations for right and left knee strain, but denied service connection for a back disorder. The veteran's knee disorders are rated under Diagnostic Code 5257 based on painful motion.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence linking any current back disability or arthritis of the knees and legs to service. Therefore, the veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The VA determined that the appellant's left knee disability, post-operative residuals of a left knee injury, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development and compliance with VCAA requirements. The case will be returned to the Board after this process.

The veteran's initial 10% evaluation for degenerative changes at the patellofemoral compartments of both knees is being remanded due to new evidence indicating worsening symptoms and a need for further examination.