Knee decisions — 2006

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to incomplete VCAA notice, lack of SPRs confirming MOS, conflicting evidence regarding current disabilities, and the need for VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's need for convalescence following his right knee surgery required an extension of the temporary total disability rating from May 1, 2002 to October 2, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left knee disability and service connection for hypertension and a heart condition, finding that there was no evidence of ankylosis or nonunion/malunion of the tibia/fibula. The Board also found that the veteran's current disabilities did not meet the criteria for a 10 percent evaluation under DC 5010 without consideration of painful motion.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected stomach disorder, post-operative residuals of a right knee injury, and lumbosacral spine disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left index finger, left ankle, and right knee disabilities. The RO initially granted service connection but did not assign a compensable rating to any of these conditions.

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

The Board denied the veteran's service connection claims for bilateral knee sprain, degenerative joint disease of the left hip, and right hip sprain with degenerative joint disease, all secondary to his service-connected bilateral post-operative contracture deformity of the toes with plantar warts and calcaneal varus.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a right knee or low back disability related to his service-connected residuals of a left knee injury, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Board denied an increased rating for osteoarthritis of the left knee and right great toe, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The veteran's increased rating claims for various service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to deficiencies in VCAA notice and the need for additional VA medical examinations.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the extent of service connection for a left knee disorder, including whether it was aggravated by a pre-existing right knee condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder and low back disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the low back claim. The Board also found that a bilateral knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's appeal involves three issues related to his service-connected right knee injuries and sinusitis. The RO has ordered a remand for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the veteran for VA examinations.

The Board has restored the veteran's disability rating from 30 percent to 60 percent for his service-connected residuals of total right knee replacement, finding that there was doubt as to whether improvement had been demonstrated since the original grant of a 60 percent evaluation in April 1998.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, each rated as 10 percent disabling, and the increase in disability rating for his low back disability from 10 to 20 percent disabling are being remanded due to outstanding VA records.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected knee and thumb disabilities, as well as their impact on his ability to work.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates, finding that his lumbar spine arthritis did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA regulations. The right knee meniscal tear was also rated at 10 percent disabling since July 1999.

The Board has determined that there is no association between the veteran's current bilateral knee disorder and his period of active duty service from February to March 1973. Similarly, there is no association between the current back disorder and his period of active duty service. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-operative left inguinal hernia and left knee disability are not related to his military service. The rating for left leg thrombophlebitis remains at 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's left above the knee amputation was not caused by VA medical treatment and therefore denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.