Knee decisions — 2005

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a travel board hearing. The issues of rating his low back pain, right knee condition, and left knee condition are pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for instability of the left knee and arthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on either condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and development of the claim, including obtaining a VA orthopedic examination to assess the severity of the veteran's right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current cervical or lumbar spine disorder, right knee or right leg disorder, or left shoulder disorder that is related to his period of service. The VA examiner found no link between any current disabilities and the veteran's service-connected residuals of a left femur fracture.

The veteran's appeal is for an increased rating for cervical spine disability, and service connection for various other conditions. The current rating of 30 percent for the cervical spine disability remains in effect.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and potential changes in diagnostic criteria.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee retropatellar pain syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining unit records and credentials of the March 2003 examiner.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his left knee disability, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected Osgood-Schlatter disease and any related arthritis.

The Board has determined that the claims are not ready for appellate disposition due to missing service medical records and lack of information regarding the veteran's POW status. The VA is instructed to make reasonable efforts to obtain relevant records, including from private providers.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected left knee injury residuals, including scarring, is being remanded to the RO for additional development of medical records and an updated VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee arthritis is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disorder. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the veteran's left knee disability, effective from the date of the decision. The veteran also received a separate 10 percent rating for arthritis of the left knee.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection of back disability, bilateral elbow and ankle disabilities, and left knee disability. The appeals are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for basic eligibility for VA benefits due to a lack of service in the U.S. Armed Forces, specifically as a guerilla with the Philippine Commonwealth Army.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to a temporary total disability evaluation for convalescence following left knee surgery performed on May 21, 2001.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation to 20 percent for chondromalacia of the right knee, which is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a left hip/left knee/left leg condition, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The Board also found that these conditions were not related to the veteran's active duty service or his service-connected postoperative residuals of a pilonidal cyst.

The Board found that service connection was granted for a right shoulder rotator cuff tear injury, but denied claims for heart disorder, sinusitis, left knee disorder, hemorrhoids, and increased ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia and musculoskeletal low back pain. The left foot disability is rated at 20 percent.