Knee decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for various orthopedic conditions, including back, shoulder, knee, hearing loss, and tinnitus. However, the claims are being remanded for further development, including VA examinations.

The Board found that the cause of death was not related to service-connected disabilities and denied the claim.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including right arm radial nerve neuropathy, shoulder rotator cuff repair, lumbar and cervical spine conditions, left and right knee surgeries, and GERD. The appeals were addressed in the context of initial ratings assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability as secondary to residuals of a toe fracture of the right foot.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee disorder and skin disorder, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits were also denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability characterized as lateral instability has been rated at 10 percent prior to August 13, 2010 and increased to 30 percent effective August 13, 2010.,For the period since August 13, 2010, a rating in excess of 30 percent for degenerative changes, residuals of arthrotomy of the right knee with limited extension is not warranted.

The Board has determined that there is no probative evidence to support the Veteran's claim of a bilateral knee disorder being secondary to his service-connected left foot disability.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain, but the claims of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by arthritis with some limitation of motion and no instability, does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral leg amputations, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The RO should clarify his representation status and schedule him for a hearing at the earliest available opportunity.

The Veteran is seeking to reopen his claim for entitlement to service connection for right knee disability. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records, is necessary before the issue can be fully adjudicated.

The Veteran's shrapnel wound of the right knee is rated noncompensable, and his service-connected PTSD does not preclude him from substantially gainful employment.,The Veteran's shrapnel wound of the right knee has been rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 5311 due to a slight disability picture. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not affect his ability to work.

The Board has determined that further development of the evidence is required before the claims can be adjudicated. The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded to the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service treatment records and to request in-patient clinical records from the US Army Hospital in Fort Carson and Landstuhl Hospital. The AOJ will then readjudicate his claims based on the updated evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and scheduling an orthopedic examination to assess the current severity of her left knee and left ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, arranging for appropriate examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected low back disability, and adjudicating all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of knee and hip disorders were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.