Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development and the need for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed left knee and low back disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not ready for decision and have been remanded to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as her disabilities do not render her so helpless.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee disabilities. The case is REMANDED for an addendum opinion considering a recently submitted VA MEPSS document indicating an increased risk of arthritis among veterans with cold injuries.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating from 20% to 10% for his service-connected right knee chondromalacia with DJD was proper due to actual improvement in the overall disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bilateral knee disorder, chronic bilateral ankle disorder, chronic respiratory disorder, and a chronic disability manifested by fevers, all claimed as resulting from an undiagnosed illness. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a left knee disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining opinions regarding potential service connection under certain circumstances.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and adjudication, including scheduling a hearing before a traveling Veterans Law Judge at the RO located in Togus, Maine.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disorder and chronic renal insufficiency, which are claimed as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected disabilities of the right and left knees, as well as his thigh and leg injuries. The maximum schedular rating assignable for each condition was 10 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral foot and knee disabilities have been rated based on their current manifestations, with no additional functional loss due to pain or other factors. The criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability is related to his active service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's right knee disorder and his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability, evaluated as 20 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5257, does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher evaluation due to lack of limitation of motion and instability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left and right knee disabilities are causally related to multiple injuries sustained in service, including combat-related incidents. The appeal for service connection for right knee disorder is being REMANDED due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his service-connected right hip disability, as well as any current low back, bilateral shoulder, and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has not determined the service connection status for schizophrenia or arthritis of knees and ankles due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims are considered 'mixed' as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee lateral instability or subluxation, but granted a separate 10 percent evaluation for left knee osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion.