Knee Board decisions

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected right knee condition is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable ratings for left shoulder pain, muscle tension headaches, residuals of a lateral internal sphincterotomy for an anal fissure, and left knee disability. The evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Board has granted a rating of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a right ankle injury, effective from February 1961. The claims for service connection for a right knee disability and low back disability are denied as secondary to the service-connected right ankle injury.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased rating of diabetes mellitus and service connection for right ankle and left knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking current conditions to service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee disabilities are being remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and readjudication of the claims.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing due to the veteran's cancellation of his scheduled video conference hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the veteran's left knee disability and determine if separate ratings are warranted for arthritis and instability.

The Board found that the veteran does not have type II diabetes mellitus that is attributable to his active military service. The claims for increased evaluations of bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and right knee medial meniscectomy are pending.

The Board found that the veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his claim for service connection of a right knee disability, as the evidence presented was insufficient to establish that the current condition is related to active duty.

The VA denied reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses because the care was not rendered in a medical emergency and VA facilities were available to treat the veteran's conditions.

The Board has remanded the veteran's appeal to the RO for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, SSA disability benefits documentation, and a VA examination. The veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his post-operative right knee injury residuals.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of fractures to the left femur and right pelvis were denied. The left femur fracture resulted in a 30% disability rating, while the right pelvis fracture was not rated higher.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his gastroesophageal reflux disease and right knee disorders, as there is no evidence that these conditions warrant a higher rating based on current medical findings.

The veteran's bilateral hip disability is not service connected. The left knee and back disabilities are service-connected, but the hip disability is not considered secondary to these conditions. The veteran has been granted a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate ratings each in excess of 10 percent for a postoperative right knee with instability and arthritis with limitation of motion, finding that the criteria for such ratings were not met.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, but denied higher ratings. The veteran's right and left knees are currently rated at 10% each.

The Board granted entitlement to service connection for internal derangement of the left knee as secondary to service-connected internal derangement of the right knee, and assigned a 20 percent evaluation effective August 16, 2000. The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his cervical spine disability and right knee disability were remanded.

The veteran's initial evaluations for his service-connected disabilities were granted, with the evaluation for herniated nucleus pulposus L3-S1 with radiculopathy increased to 40 percent effective July 16, 1996.

The veteran's claims for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia and left knee arthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and for further medical examination.