Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and a review of his claims file to determine the current severity of his knee disabilities, right knee scar, PTSD, and ability to work. The case will be returned to the Board for further appellate review if necessary.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for consideration of additional evidence and a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran is seeking TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The Board has referred the claim to the RO for development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The appellant's service-connected disabilities, while serious and requiring the use of a wheelchair or prosthetic leg, do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing benefits due to permanent and total disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO due to his request.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right leg weakness, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, a bilateral foot disorder, a right shoulder disorder, and a right knee disorder. The appeals were remanded by the Court due to issues with the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic bilateral knee strain and arthralgia, as well as her chronic bilateral ankle strain, are related to events during active military service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further consideration of his unemployability based on service-connected disabilities, including degenerative joint disease of the left hip and knee. The case will be referred to VA's Director of Compensation and Pension Service for an extra-schedular evaluation.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including pain of the knees, ankles, feet, hands (including fingers), chronic fatigue, upper respiratory symptoms, and headaches, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing their onset during active duty or being attributable to a known clinical diagnosis.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for higher initial ratings and service connection for various disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining medical examinations to reassess the severity of his current disabilities and determine their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to his left below-the-knee amputation. The Veteran is in receipt of SMC based on anatomical loss of one foot, but he does not require regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling appropriate examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions and whether they are related to his military service. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left great toe injury and a left knee disorder. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain service treatment records, identify any post-service treatment providers, and schedule appropriate examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from SSA, which may provide information relevant to his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for an orthopedic examination to assess the current severity of his left hip, left ankle, and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that a new VA medical examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current left knee disorder, as the previous examination was inadequate. The case is also remanded for obtaining any outstanding treatment records regarding the Veteran's left knee.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left knee arthritis, right hip disorder, and a left shoulder disability have been granted. The initial rating for the nasal fracture residuals is 0 percent (noncompensable), while the initial rating for the left shoulder disability is 10 percent.

The Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is related to active duty service and the claim for this condition is granted. The Board finds that a grant of service connection for tinnitus, cervical spine disorder (DDD of the cervical spine), and left knee disorder (claimed as left knee patellar tendonitis and Osgood-Schlatter's disease) is warranted based on service incurrence.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for the merits of the claim.