Knee decisions — 2007

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to issues related to service connection and evaluations of the veteran's knee, back, left foot, and right foot conditions.

The veteran's status post operative fracture, left tibia and fibula is rated at 20 percent. The veteran's osteochondritis dissecans of the left knee does not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of this claim due to conflicting opinions on whether the veteran's service-connected right knee disability caused or aggravated his left knee disability. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee disorder is related to his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and found that the veteran's current right knee disability warrants a rating of 30 percent, effective June 11, 2003. The claim for an increased rating remains pending.

The Board has requested additional development regarding the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability. The case is being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and his heart disorder claim was granted. The Tietze's syndrome remains noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral knee disabilities due to additional evidentiary and procedural development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection of residuals of a left knee condition. The Board also found that this disability is related to an in-service injury, thus granting service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other criteria. The issue regarding service connection for sinus problems, including left maxillary sinus cancer, was also addressed but is being REMANDED.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for left knee condition, and service connection for gouty arthritis (claimed as gout in both large toes). The claim for service connection of dislocation of the right shoulder was denied due to lack of medical evidence relating the injury to service. New and material evidence has not been presented to reopen this claim.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right foot disorders were denied due to insufficient evidence in his most recent period of active duty records. The case is being returned to the RO for further development, including obtaining missing service medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's knee disabilities. The appeal will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The veteran's initial evaluations for his service-connected cervical spine, right shoulder, bilateral wrist and knee disabilities have been granted. However, the claims of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction remain pending.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective date issues were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The veteran's right knee disability was rated as noncompensable from November 1, 2001 to February 5, 2007 and increased to 10 percent effective February 6, 2007.,Since February 6, 2007, the veteran has been assigned a 10 percent rating for his right knee disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of a right knee injury.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for right knee osteoarthritis. The issue is now considered on a de novo basis.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to incomplete VA examinations, lack of VCAA notice, and need for additional medical evidence.