Knee decisions — 2009

The veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without providing good cause, and as such, the claims for increased ratings were denied.

The Veteran is entitled to special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance, but not to a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance, or adaptive equipment.

The appeals for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for the left knee and right shoulder were remanded, while the appeal for a compensable rating for the left foot was denied.

The appeal is remanded for additional evidence and examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities, the etiology of her left ankle disability, and to provide proper notice regarding increased rating claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his thoracolumbar, right shoulder, and wrist disabilities as well as service connection for knee arthralgia, an eye disability, and gouty arthritis.

The Board granted service connection for dysthymic disorder and major depression as part of the service-connected PTSD, but denied service connection for a right knee disability, prostatitis, and hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran's post-surgical treatment did not amount to convalescence, as he was released to return to work on light duty status.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, a low back disability, a bilateral knee disability, a neck disability, and headaches as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim for pes planus, and there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or etiological links to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings or additional service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a right hand disability as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and right hip disorders as secondary to a low back disorder were denied due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to either service or his service-connected low back disorder.

The Veteran's service connection for a right knee disability was granted, while the evaluations for bilateral tinnitus and degenerative disc disease (DDD) L4-5 with L4-5 radiculopathy were denied.

The Veteran does not have tinnitus that is related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease, L5-S1 and strain of lumbar spine, degenerative joint disease and strain of the left knee, and carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist and hand.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, to include as secondary to service-connected right ear otitis media with tympanotomy.

The Veteran was granted a 10 percent disability rating for his left and right knee, and left and right ankle disabilities effective from February 24, 2006, to November 12, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition, chronic conjunctivitis, and chest pain/shortness of breath were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted. The claim for an increased rating for the lower back disability was also denied.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development, including an addendum VA examination addressing the effect of symptoms on range of motion.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence related to the Veteran's right knee and ankle disorders.