Knee decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his post-operative left knee replacement is being remanded due to the need for further development, including scheduling a VA orthopedic examination and considering whether he is entitled to a 100 percent rating following implantation of the knee prosthesis in April or May 2009.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional service treatment records.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and requires further development of evidence, including a new examination to determine the severity and scope of the appellant's service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to use adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records for his second period of active duty and to schedule him for a VA examination to address whether his current right knee disorder is permanently aggravated by his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, twisted knee, enlarged prostate, ventral hernia, and eye refractive error. The evidence did not show a current diagnosis or etiology for any of these conditions related to active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions and records to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for readjudication of the TDIU claim after the grants of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and ankle, as his combined evaluation now meets the schedular criteria for a claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective March 1, 2007. The appeal was granted for a higher rating.

The Veteran's low back degenerative changes are found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left knee disability, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The right knee and hip conditions are also found to be secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's scars have been rated at 10 percent since May 14, 2009. The current rating is appropriate given the size and nature of his scars.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and bilateral hand disorders are not service-connected, as they do not meet the criteria for service connection under direct service connection provisions.

The Board found no CUE in the prior rating decisions denying a TDIU, as there was insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or maintaining gainful employment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees. The underlying issue of service connection is addressed in a separate REMAND.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are not service-connected. The evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his knee disability and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and left knee arthritis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and a left knee disorder due to lack of evidence of current disabilities.