Knee decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case due to the appellant's failure to appear for a scheduled video conference hearing. The case will be returned to the RO for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his shrapnel wounds and stroke-related conditions, have significantly impacted his mobility. He is seeking specially adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant to accommodate these needs.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right knee with recurrent subluxation.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected right knee disability, including a request for an increased rating and an earlier effective date. The case is being remanded due to the need for further development, particularly with regard to obtaining updated medical evidence and conducting a VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal of the issues regarding whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for left and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to assess his unemployability and the effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only is denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria set forth in VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral leg disability, including degenerative arthritis of the knees due to lack of evidence linking current disabilities to service.

The VA examiner found that the Veteran's left knee disorder is not etiologically related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic sinus disorder, bilateral knee disorder, or left wrist disorder. The Veteran's service treatment records did not diagnose these conditions and the VA examination reports did not reveal any pathology for these disorders.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 20 percent from April 11, 2000 to January 21, 2007 for instability. The right knee disability remained at 10 percent throughout the period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability, including arthritis, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of records and medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the preponderance of evidence does not support a higher rating for his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his hip disabilities did not warrant higher evaluations or secondary service connection.

The Veteran does not have a knee disorder that is attributable to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional treatment records and to afford him a VA examination for his service-connected left knee and right shoulder disabilities.

The Board has determined that the appellant's character of service from February 12, 1978, to April 7, 1978, is a bar to VA benefits due to fraudulent enlistment and discharge under dishonorable conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee meniscectomy and ACL reconstruction, as well as his service-connected right knee DJD, were denied. The maximum schedular rating of 30 percent has been granted for the meniscectomy and ACL reconstruction, but no higher rating is warranted due to lack of evidence showing more severe impairment. For DJD, a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted based on the current range of motion findings.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a back disorder. The claims for right and left ankle disorders, as well as the left knee disorder (secondary to right knee disability), are addressed. The Veteran is scheduled for VA examinations to assess the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these actions.