Knee decisions — 2006

The veteran's right knee disorder is related to his service-connected left knee disability. The RO granted service connection for the right knee disorder and increased the rating from 10% to 30% effective June 19, 2004.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for right knee disability. However, the claims for lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and bilateral shoulder disorders have been denied as there is no clear evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disorder.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete records, including sick and morning reports from November 1957 to January 2008. The veteran's right knee injury during service is the primary issue.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the veteran's left knee disability and whether his right knee disability is secondary to his left knee disability. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a bilateral knee disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that a VA medical examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's right knee disorder, as well as whether it is related to service.

The Board found that the veteran's left total knee arthroplasty, with subsequent revisions, does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a medical examination to assess the extent of the veteran's right knee disability and whether there is additional limitation of motion due to factors such as weakness, fatigability, incoordination, restricted movement, or pain on motion.

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

The Board is reviewing the denial of service connection for a right knee disorder. The veteran claims that his current right knee condition began during active duty and has persisted since.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for ligament laxity of the left knee, finding that the evidence did not demonstrate moderate impairment warranting a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have current residuals of a right ankle fracture or degenerative joint disease of the right knee related to military service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal of the claim for an increased rating for his left knee injury, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of right knee disability, service connection for right shoulder disorder, reopening of a claim for bilateral hearing loss, and extension of temporary total evaluation following surgery were all denied by the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee condition and service connection for a lower back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability warrants a combined rating of 50 percent for the periods from September 1, 1998 to March 14, 2003 and May 1, 2003 to August 20, 2003. The veteran was receiving the maximum ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5260-5010, 5261-5010, 5257, and 5258 for these periods.

The Board has determined that the case must be remanded to comply with VCAA requirements, including providing proper notice and applying the correct version of new and material evidence regulations.

The veteran seeks an increased evaluation for his service-connected left knee injury. The case is remanded to obtain updated medical records and conduct a VA examination to determine the current severity of his disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, left hip bursitis, and right Achilles tendonitis (claimed as right ankle pain) due to a lack of evidence showing limitation of motion in any of these joints.

The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for further development and consideration, including a medical examination and clarification of the appellant's request for a hearing.