Knee decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) were denied. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to April 3, 2006 and as of June 1, 2006. The VA denied an increased rating for his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Federal disability retirement records and medical records from the Nexus Pain Clinic. An additional VA examination will also be scheduled to assess the current severity of his service-connected left calf atrophy and hyperflexia.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying the Veteran's dates of service. The issues include entitlement to service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is denied as the earliest factually ascertainable date that he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities was June 14, 2005.

The Veteran's left knee disability is as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected fusion of the left ankle with history of fracture and post-operative repair of the ankle ligaments.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left below the knee amputation. The Board has determined that there are insufficient records to make an informed decision and has therefore remanded the case for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated therein. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for traumatic arthritis of the right knee is being remanded due to a need for further examination following his total knee replacement.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations and readjudication of the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee injury with instability has been rated at 20 percent since June 1, 2007. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the disability is currently manifested by pain, stiffness, and weakness necessitating use of a knee brace.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral arm disorder, bilateral knee disorder, floaters in eyes, breathing trouble, ulcer, erectile dysfunction, headaches, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and PTSD. The Board found that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to comply with VA's duties to notify and assist, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling examinations for the left knee and shoulder disabilities as well as headaches.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, characterized as severe degeneration, finding that there is no medical evidence linking the current condition to his service-connected back injury.

The Veteran's current bilateral knee disorder, diagnosed as arthritis of the knees and residuals from a surgical history of left knee arthroscopy, was not manifest during active service or until many years thereafter, nor is it otherwise related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder, headaches, and bilateral knee disorders due to lack of evidence of current disabilities or medical nexus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed low back strain and left knee injury are not related to his active service. The evidence does not show any chronic disability during service, and there is no medical opinion linking current disabilities to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability, diagnosed as arthritis, is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury during combat service. As a result, the claim for service connection for right knee arthritis is granted.