Knee decisions — 2009

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA medical records from the Dallas VAMC.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various disabilities, including a cervical spine injury, right and left knee disabilities, thoracic and lumbar spine disabilities, a psychiatric disorder (including posttraumatic stress disorder), and a heart condition. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the bilateral hips and knees have been denied as there is no evidence showing that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal involves the initial ratings for his service-connected right knee and bilateral foot disabilities. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical records, as well as to schedule VA examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the right knee disorder claim, but had been received to reopen the left knee disorder claim. Service connection was not granted for tinnitus or degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. Increased disability ratings were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left hip disabilities, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for kyphosis due to congenital Scheuermann's disease.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 20 percent prior to April 27, 2004 and granted an effective date of December 20, 1993 for service connection. The Veteran is entitled to a higher rating than 20 percent for his right knee disability prior to that date. For the period from June 1, 2005 onwards, he is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected right thigh contusion with arthritis of the knee and traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine have been rated, but the current ratings are denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is causally related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition. The issue of TDIU remains pending as it was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder and right shoulder disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of an alleged motor vehicle accident during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected gastrointestinal and left knee disabilities were denied by the RO. The Veteran's GERD with Barrett's esophagus, duodenitis, and hiatal hernia was rated at 30 percent effective January 1996, while his residuals of gunshot wound to the left leg involving Muscle Group XI were rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran seeks service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine if this condition was incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected lumbar strain warrants a 20 percent disability rating, effective from the date of his claim. The left knee disability is secondary to the lumbar strain and was not granted as service connected.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at a combined rating of 60 percent, which is the maximum available under all applicable diagnostic codes. The claim for an extraschedular evaluation and TDIU remains in appellate status.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative changes of the left knee. The right knee issue remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including scarlet fever residuals and heart disease, are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.