Knee decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for schizophrenia. The issue of service connection for arthritis of the back, knees, ankles, and wrists remains denied.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the appellant is not entitled to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed low back, left knee, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, and right ankle disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim. The right knee disorder claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining missing VA and private medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability alone does not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and therefore his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 100%, including a non-service-connected condition rated at 60%. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence supports an award of special monthly pension on account of being housebound.

The Veteran's claim for a left knee disability was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The claims of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability and hepatitis were previously denied, but the Veteran has not appealed these decisions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is related to an in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left knee injury and granted it, finding that new and material evidence had been presented to relate his current disability to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a right knee disability, including as secondary to a low back disability. The evidence did not establish continuity of symptomatology or show that the current disabilities were related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claim, including obtaining SSA disability determination records and private treatment records from Dr. Tong.

The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating in excess of 10 percent, as it did not manifest with ankylosis or limitation of motion to 45 degrees flexion or 10 degrees extension. The RO denied his claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection in full, including reopening of previously denied claims and granting new evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for right knee instability and arthritis was denied. The Board found that the current rating of 10 percent adequately reflects his symptoms, including painful motion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asthma and arthritis of the right knee, have resulted in his need for regular aid and attendance due to his inability to dress, undress, bathe, or toilet himself.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee osteoarthritis has been productive of flexion limited to 110 degrees, with extension limited to between 0 and 10 degrees, with objective evidence of painful motion. The RO granted a 10 percent rating for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current knee disorders and active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and bilateral knee disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling of VA examinations to determine the nature and severity of his hearing impairment and right knee disorder.