Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's right knee replacement disability is currently rated at 30 percent, the minimum rating provided for a service-connected knee replacement. The evidence does not support an increase in his disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hyperlipidemia, dyslipidemia, high cholesterol, right knee disability, psychiatric disorder, cardiovascular disease, low back disability, osteoarthrosis, allergies, Peyronie's disease, and broken right foot were denied as there is no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year post-service. The Veteran did not have any cardiovascular issues during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings or earlier effective dates in several of her claims.

The Board has found that the Veteran's left knee disorder was not incurred or aggravated by active service. The case is being remanded to obtain an opinion regarding whether her pre-existing hypertension was aggravated during service, and for a determination on her right shoulder injury claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right arm and shoulder, left arm and shoulder, right hand and finger disorders as well as a rating in excess of 10 percent for anoxic encephalopathy with residual impairment of cognitive and cerebral function. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The VA denied the Veteran's claims for an increase in ratings for his low back disability and left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and his claim for a TDIU rating is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability did not meet the criteria for an extension of his temporary total convalescence rating beyond August 1, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee arthrosis is rated at 20 percent, and his service-connected left knee laxity is rated at 10 percent. The Veteran seeks higher ratings for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a left knee disability was granted with an effective date of January 27, 2005. The Board finds no earlier effective date is warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for assignment of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent initial disability rating for the service-connected left knee scars, effective December 4, 2008. The claim for an increased (compensable) initial rating for constrictive bronchiolitis is remanded.

The Board is unable to make a decision on the service connection claim as requested because it needs more information about the Veteran's in-service knee injury at Camp Barrett, Quantico Marine Corps Base. The Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence of his in-service injury and treatment records are needed.

The Veteran seeks compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability resulting from VA treatment in December 2005 to August 2006, which allegedly resulted in a right below the knee amputation. The Board has determined that further development is needed and has remanded the case.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The appeal is based on the denial of service connection for various conditions, including right knee limitations, instability, lumbar spine disabilities, and radiculopathies.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee degenerative joint diseases were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to the possibility of worsening service-connected disabilities. His increased rating claim for spine disability is also referred back for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting higher disability ratings for her service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to service connection and increased rating claims.