Knee Board decisions

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability evaluation for his service-connected left knee pain with a history of partial anterior cruciate ligament tear is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right knee and hip were denied. The RO reduced the rating for the right knee from 30 percent to 10 percent effective September 29, 1998.

The Board has decided that the veteran's current left knee disability is due to his inservice injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and an increased evaluation for his chronic low back pain, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an increased initial evaluation of his left knee disability, finding that the current 10 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.

The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development and compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and compliance with VA notification requirements.

The Board has determined that further development is required before the completion of appellate action, including providing notice to the veteran and his representative regarding their intent to appeal issues concerning right knee disability and glaucoma evaluations. The TDIU claim will be held in abeyance until these issues are resolved.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA orthopedic examination to assess the veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that an increased evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the left knee is warranted, but not for the right knee.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for an increased rating of 30 percent for his service-connected left knee disability, effective from June 1995. The issues regarding secondary service connection and temporary total convalescence ratings remain pending.

The veteran is not entitled to an effective date earlier than October 13, 1998 for the grant of a 10 percent disability rating for his service-connected right knee disorder.

The veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the right knee is being remanded due to incomplete records and a need for further examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for a bilateral knee disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 40 percent for lumbar spine arthritis at L4-5-L5-S1, and denied the remaining issues.

The Board has determined that additional development is required due to the need for a VA examination and review of medical records.

The Board found that the veteran's arthritis of the left knee does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, and did not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board found no current evidence of a right knee disorder and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a gunshot wound to the right leg with fracture of the tibia and arthritis of the right ankle with limitation of motion warrant a 40 percent disability rating, while his osteoarthritis of the left knee warrants a 20 percent disability rating.