Knee decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable and grants a TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining service treatment records and a medical examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, as there is no credible evidence of in-service injury or event to which these conditions can be linked.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold percentage requirements for TDIU, as his total combined disability rating is only 70 percent. The evidence does not support a finding of unemployability due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability did not manifest during or as a result of active military service and it is not secondary to his service-connected low back disability. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disorder was not caused or worsened by his period of active duty, and the Board denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the appellant's right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's left knee disorder is aggravated by his service-connected right knee degenerative arthritis. Additionally, the RO must obtain any outstanding records identified by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for further development of evidence, particularly regarding his service connection and disability ratings.

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

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including osteoarthritis of the ankles and knees.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disability and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of a left knee quadricepsplasty or a separate rating for left knee arthritis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and a right knee disability. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, renal insufficiency with hypertension, incisional hernia, diabetes mellitus with retinopathy and impotence, right knee disability, left knee disability, neurodermatitis, tinnitus, limitation of motion of the right knee, hearing loss, and other conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right knee DJD is currently evaluated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted. The claim for TDIU is also denied as his service-connected disability alone does not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability was granted a 40 percent rating effective June 18, 2007. The left knee disability was granted a 30 percent rating effective June 27, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling an orthopedic examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee condition, including degenerative arthritis of the right knee, was not incurred or aggravated by her military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to missing service and post-service treatment records, as well as outstanding VA outpatient treatment records.