Knee decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee strain, finding no medical evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings were denied. The VA determined that the current manifestations of his service-connected conditions did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder due to new evidence. The Veteran was granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, based on his reported combat experiences in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination report and ensuring all relevant records are associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right knee disability is rated as moderate instability, but the muscle atrophy of the thigh is not considered a separate condition warranting an evaluation. No psychiatric disorder was found to be related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a meniscal tear of the right knee.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 90 percent, and he does not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound due to his physical disabilities. He also does not qualify for specially adapted housing benefits.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current left knee disability is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right knee condition, including post-surgical residuals and osteoarthritis, has resulted in severe painful motion. The Board finds that the current level of disability warrants a 60 percent rating.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which includes a deficiency of the anterior cruciate ligament and removal of the medial meniscus, does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an X-ray report and a supplemental opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected right medial collateral ligament strain and arthritis of the right knee.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a right knee disability, thus denying the reopening of the claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his right knee conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to September 26, 2008.

The Board found that the Veteran's knee disabilities do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as they are limited by his stroke and related conditions rather than service connection.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration of whether his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities, including low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, hypertension, right wrist disability, and left ankle disability. The Board finds that the evidence supports a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's left leg amputation below the knee is not considered a qualifying additional disability under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to lack of evidence showing it was caused by VA treatment, and the Board finds that his claim for compensation under this provision has been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and determining whether the Veteran is in receipt of Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are considered to determine if they render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded to allow for additional development of his medical records and a new VA examination.