Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for ratings higher than 10 percent for chondromalacia of the knees and for service connection for vertigo, to be further developed by the RO. The remaining claims for service connection for right and left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are being adjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left knee disability was rated at 10 percent, effective May 8, 1998.

The Veteran's ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been restored to their previous levels.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder and right knee disorders, finding no direct service connection but also noting that the arthritis of the right knee is aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disabilities and their effects on daily activities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for right knee total knee replacement status post medial meniscectomy with residual scars or instability of the right knee, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations and service connection issues were denied. The left knee disability was not rated higher than 20 percent, lumbosacral strain did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, and post-traumatic arthritis of the left ankle with nonunion of avulsion fracture medial malleolus was not rated higher than 30 percent.

The Veteran's right foot disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. His initial rating for the right knee DJD remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran had a chronic condition during his period of active service and resolved all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal requires additional development and a new examination to determine the nature and extent of his right knee disorder, as well as a new examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected TMJ. The case is therefore REMANDED for these actions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a hernia, bilateral knee disability, and heart murmur have been denied. The claim for symptoms of dizziness secondary to tinnitus is pending. A compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has also been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected fractured left femur with associated hip and knee disabilities have been evaluated at a 20 percent rating for the entire appeal period. The evidence does not support an increase in evaluation beyond this level.

The Board has remanded the case for further consideration, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the North Little Rock, Arkansas RO.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disability, including arthritis, is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of increased rating for left knee arthrotomy and initial rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis, left knee are not ready for appellate review.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of a shell fragment wound of the left thigh before July 3, 1997 was denied by the Board. The evidence showed that the injury involved Muscle Group XIII and Muscle Group XIV in the same anatomical region affecting the left knee joint.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to missing service treatment records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and readjudication due to conflicting evidence regarding the appellant's in-service right knee injury and the need to obtain relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal to obtain additional development, including a new VA examination and private medical records. The Veteran seeks service connection for his bilateral knee disability, which he claims is related to his active service.