Knee Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected shell fragment wounds of the left knee, left biceps and forearm with retained bodies, and left hand have been increased to a 10 percent evaluation effective June 11, 1971.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's right knee, left knee and right hip disabilities but denied a compensable disability evaluation under 38 C.F.R. � 3.324.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred or aggravated by active service and denied his claim. The left knee disability and bilateral pes planus were also denied as there is no evidence of their onset during service.

The veteran's allergies were not service-connected, but her right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are each rated at 10 percent disabling. The veteran's headaches are noncompensably disabling.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability. The claim is now being reviewed on its merits.

The Board has restored a 20 percent rating for chondromalacia of the right knee and left knee, finding that there is sustained improvement in the appellant's bilateral knee condition.

The veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional examinations and evaluations of his service-connected conditions, including left posterolateral herniated nucleus pulposus at L5 - S1, left knee meniscal tear with chronic synovitis with intra-articular effusion, and status post left thumb fracture. The RO will also consider the veteran's employment capacity due to these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for a left knee disability and an earlier effective date for PTSD due to inadequate development, including the need for a new VA examination by an orthopedist who had not previously examined him.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right first metatarsal head, chondromalacia of the right knee, and chondromalacia of the left knee.

The Board has granted increased evaluations for the veteran's right knee disorder and gastroenteritis, but denied his claims for an increased evaluation for his right shoulder disorder and a compensable evaluation for his left knee disorder. The claim to reopen service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also denied.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, which includes residuals of a fractured tibial plateau with degenerative changes. The current rating reflects the veteran's complaints of pain and limitation of motion.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right knee, right fifth toe, and left fifth toe disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of compensable disability.

The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for instability as a residual of degenerative joint disease of the left knee, and a separate 10 percent rating for the service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left knee based on x-ray findings of arthritis with limited painful motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting left knee disorder was aggravated during service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for further development, including obtaining a private x-ray study of the right knee. The RO must ensure all notification and development actions required by the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 are completed.

The VA Regional Office denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability as not well grounded. The case is now remanded to gather additional evidence and review on the merits.

The RO denied the appellant's claims for increased PTSD evaluation and service connection for a right eye disorder, varicose veins, degenerative joint disease of the knees, low back disorder, and vascular and heart disorders. The appeal is remanded to allow further development.,The RO denied the appellant's claim for service connection for his right eye disorder as secondary to his left eye disability (traumatic cataract with glaucoma and aphakia). The appeal is remanded to allow further development.,The RO denied the appellant's claim for service connection for varicose veins. The appeal is remanded to allow further development.,The RO denied the appellant's claim to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the knees. The appeal is remanded to allow further development.,The RO denied the appellant's claims for service connection for low back disorder and vascular and heart disorders as secondary to his left eye disability and/or shell fragment wounds. The appeal is remanded to allow further development.,The RO denied the appellant's claim for service connection for vascular and heart disorders as secondary to his left eye disability and/or shell fragment wounds. The appeal is remanded to allow further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee and right hip conditions are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The veteran's appeal is about an increased rating for his service-connected right knee disorder. The RO has not yet considered whether additional notification or development action is required under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.