Knee decisions — 2009

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, right hip disability, and left knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right femur and lower back disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as his claim for an increased rating for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, were denied. The Veteran was granted a compensable (20%) rating for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity effective June 2006.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the appellant's claims for service connection for a lumbosacral strain, bilateral hip disorder, and right knee disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability due to new and material evidence submitted since January 1980. The Board also ordered an additional VA examination to determine if any diagnosed right knee disability is related to the Veteran's time in active duty.

The Veteran seeks payment or reimbursement for medical services provided at Northbay Medical Center from March 21, 2006 to March 22, 2006. The Board has determined that the case should be remanded due to incomplete documentation and need for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee and lumbosacral spine disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, body strain including the chest, back, and abdomen, and a left knee disability. However, additional development is needed prior to appellate review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 1, 1991 for a grant of a 30 percent schedular disability rating for right knee anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, partial medial meniscectomy, and old patella fracture.

Service connection was not established for the Veteran's left knee disability due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by active service. However, he is entitled to a 10% rating for his right scapular scar since July 23, 2001.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left knee disability and defective visual acuity, but denied service connection for left wrist disability. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional medical records and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain in-patient clinical records from Beaufort Naval Hospital for treatment of a right knee disability. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board granted initial noncompensable ratings for chondromalacia of the right and left knees, effective April 22, 2004.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, and left leg common peroneal nerve laceration are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA compensation and pension examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected residuals of a right knee injury. The RO should attempt to schedule an examination at the state hospital with a correctional or fee-basis examiner, or if unable to do so, have the claims folder reviewed by a VA C&P examiner.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for DJD of the right knee and TMJ was adjudicated. The rating for DJD of the right knee remains at 30 percent, while a separate rating of 20 percent is assigned for TMJ beginning March 18, 2008.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a right knee disability. The Veteran's testimony at his hearing was considered, but did not provide sufficient medical evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and obtaining additional medical records.

The Veteran's right knee meniscectomy residuals prior to May 23, 2006 were moderate in nature and more closely approximated the criteria for a 20 percent evaluation under DC 5257. Since August 1, 2006, her disability has been rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.