Knee decisions — 2011

Service connection for a positive tuberculin skin test was granted. The Veteran's current arthritis of the right and left knees is rated at 10 percent each, with no higher evaluation warranted based on flexion limitation or other criteria. The Veteran's arthritis of the right ankle has been increased to 20 percent since August 14, 2008.,The Veteran's service connection for a positive tuberculin skin test was granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and SSA documents, as well as any VA vocational rehabilitation folder. The Veteran will also be provided an updated VA medical examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's right knee DJD is being remanded for further development, including securing treatment records from Christ Community Hospital and providing the Veteran with notice regarding effective dates of awards and criteria for rating knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and requires additional evaluations for the Veteran's right shoulder and left knee conditions. The appeal is REMANDED to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a right knee disorder due to new and material evidence. The Veteran's pre-existing right knee condition was not aggravated by active service, but his current symptoms are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations of her right knee and hip disabilities, as well as consideration of new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a medical examination to determine if his left hip fusion is related to service-connected bilateral pes planus. The TDIU claim must also be remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and left ankle disabilities are not related to his service, as there is no evidence of a pre-existing condition or an in-service injury. The current conditions are considered to be due to natural progression.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, degenerative changes of the right and left knees, and tremor of the right and left hands. The appeal was decided on the basis that the evidence did not support granting these conditions based on direct service connection.

The Board has granted a rating of 50 percent for arthritis of the right knee as of February 16, 2010. The Veteran's right knee instability is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability has not been received, and thus denied the application to reopen.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of pyelonephritis or early patellofemoral syndrome, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disorder has been evaluated as 10 percent disabling prior to July 1, 2011 and 30 percent thereafter. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a disease or injury of the knees noted at service entrance and that the presumption of soundness has not been rebutted. The Veteran's current knee conditions are considered to be unrelated to his military service.

The Board in February 1987 affirmed the termination of the Veteran's total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability, which was effective January 1, 1985. The decision is now being reviewed due to a claim of clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and other procedural issues.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to properly address the appellant's claims for service connection and increased rating, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated treatment records.

The Veteran is found to be totally and permanently disabled as a result of nonservice-connected disabilities, including benign prostate hypertrophy, right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, hypertension, and back condition (lumbosacral spine), when considered with his age, educational level, and prior work history. Therefore, he is entitled to nonservice-connected pension benefits.