Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with the left knee disability receiving a 30% rating effective January 7, 2010. The hypertension and aortic stenosis disabilities received their respective initial ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral foot disability. The Veteran's claimed groin disability was not supported by evidence of record. Service connection was granted for residuals of pneumonia (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

The Veteran's claim for compensation under Title 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was denied as there is no evidence that the surgical implant caused his current disabilities, and the necessary consequences of the treatment were not intended to result from the surgery.

The Board has denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral knee arthritis due to trauma, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a back disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and bilateral hip disorders due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The Veteran's current conditions are considered significant enough to warrant consideration.

The Veteran's appeal of the increased rating for status post left knee anterior horn tear and lateral meniscus tear was withdrawn prior to a decision being made. The cases of his lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his headache disability and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for increased disability evaluation, service connection for right knee and low back disabilities, and bilateral hip disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to the need for updated medical examinations and records.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased evaluations of his right knee injuries and arthritis, thus the Board does not have jurisdiction to consider these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to allow for additional development and consideration of all potential theories of entitlement, including aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities, specifically his right total knee replacement and dysthymic disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and L3-4 herniated nucleus pulposus are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence from VA treatment records, medical opinions from 'Rhonda' and Dr. Flores, or any other relevant medical statements.

The Board has granted service connection for several disabilities, including right knee DJD, hypertension, a fracture of the right great toe, and deviated septum. The Veteran's initial ratings have been increased to 10 percent for these conditions effective August 1, 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for low back and left knee disorders, as well as tinnitus. The right ankle disorder claim is denied, and the bilateral hip disorder claim is also denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding effective dates for service connection of left knee and left foot disabilities due to procedural issues, as there is no legal entitlement to earlier effective dates.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder and a bilateral knee disorder, finding that these conditions are proximately due to or the result of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral calluses.

The Board denied service connection for abdominal aortic aneurysm, diabetes mellitus, and osteoarthritis of the knees due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to ionizing radiation exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of bilateral plantar fasciitis, right knee retropatellar pain syndrome, and left knee retropatellar pain syndrome were all granted with a 10% evaluation. The claim for service connection for PTSD was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip, bilateral knee, and right ankle conditions are not due to or caused by his service-connected left leg varicose veins. The VA examiner found no relationship between these conditions and the service-connected condition.