Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of his claims. The left knee disability claim, acquired psychiatric disorder claim, and a new hip disorder claim are all pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to a hearing notification error, and the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing at the RO.

The Board found the character of discharge for the period from September 13, 1999 to May 15, 2003 is not a bar to VA benefits. However, the character of discharge for the period from May 16, 2003 to July 30, 2007 is considered dishonorable and thus bars VA benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his adenocarcinoma of the common bile duct was denied. The Board also noted that the right knee disability issue is not about service connection and thus, no further action on this issue is required.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a current VA examination and additional medical records. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a separate compensable evaluation for left knee instability is pending.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including arthritis as a residual of the service-connected injury, is rated at 10 percent. The issues regarding back and hip pain, right knee disabilities, and TDIU are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating on an extraschedular basis for right knee patellofemoral syndrome was denied due to failure to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied as there is no evidence showing he is unemployable solely due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right femur fracture residuals, including degenerative joint disease of the hip and knee, are currently rated at 40 percent disabling effective June 27, 2011. The claim for an increased rating is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claims for a low back disorder, left elbow disorder, and left knee disability. The claim was not reopened as new and material evidence had not been received.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are so disabling as to prevent him from dressing himself and frequently adjusting his special orthopedic appliance without aid, meeting the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability for the left knee, left shoulder, or psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's service treatment records did not indicate any chronic conditions and post-service medical records do not show any diagnoses related to these issues.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disability in service or within one year post-service, and concluded that any current low back disability is not related to service. The sciatic nerve and bilateral knee disabilities are also not linked to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and needs further examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to obtain missing service treatment records and VA treatment records, as well as to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination. The appeal will be remanded to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities. The claims will be considered on a direct service connection theory.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of his claim for service connection for a right knee disability. The issue will be reconsidered after further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination and further development of his claims for service connection for knee and hip disorders, including as secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability.