Knee decisions — 2005

The Board has remanded the veteran's appeal to the RO for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, SSA disability benefits documentation, and a VA examination. The veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his post-operative right knee injury residuals.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of fractures to the left femur and right pelvis were denied. The left femur fracture resulted in a 30% disability rating, while the right pelvis fracture was not rated higher.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his gastroesophageal reflux disease and right knee disorders, as there is no evidence that these conditions warrant a higher rating based on current medical findings.

The veteran's bilateral hip disability is not service connected. The left knee and back disabilities are service-connected, but the hip disability is not considered secondary to these conditions. The veteran has been granted a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate ratings each in excess of 10 percent for a postoperative right knee with instability and arthritis with limitation of motion, finding that the criteria for such ratings were not met.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, but denied higher ratings. The veteran's right and left knees are currently rated at 10% each.

The Board granted entitlement to service connection for internal derangement of the left knee as secondary to service-connected internal derangement of the right knee, and assigned a 20 percent evaluation effective August 16, 2000. The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his cervical spine disability and right knee disability were remanded.

The veteran's initial evaluations for his service-connected disabilities were granted, with the evaluation for herniated nucleus pulposus L3-S1 with radiculopathy increased to 40 percent effective July 16, 1996.

The veteran's claims for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia and left knee arthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and for further medical examination.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder but granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent for the veteran's left knee disability.

The veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and development of records. The issues include increased evaluations for various service-connected disabilities, as well as a pension claim.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking the claimed conditions to his military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's left knee condition, diagnosed as retropatellar pain syndrome, does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The veteran's claims of entitlement to increased disability ratings for residuals, fracture left femur; chondromalacia patella, left knee; and scar, left leg are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has found that the veteran's right knee disability is aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability, and thus grants service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee.

The veteran's left knee condition is aggravated by his service-connected right knee disabilities. The RO has granted restoration of a 30 percent rating for post-traumatic changes in the patella, status post meniscal repair, and increased ratings for other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete examination reports and additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee instability warrants a separate evaluation of 20 percent, which is higher than the current 10 percent rating. The decision also notes that severe instability was not demonstrated.