Knee decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disorders are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's right knee strain with minimal degenerative changes has been rated at 10 percent since November 21, 2007. The evidence shows that the Veteran's range of motion is limited to 90 degrees flexion and 4 degrees extension.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and reduction of his disability rating were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period, including after the reduction in May 2005.

The Board found no evidence of a left knee injury during service and concluded that the current left knee disorder is not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as a matter of law due to his failure to report for VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete medical records and inadequate examination for service connection of back, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities were denied as the evidence did not establish a direct link to service. The heart disability claim was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of her service-connected bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome as well as any chronic low and middle back, shoulder, and hip disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II was not found to be related to service or Agent Orange exposure. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the cause of the Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and whether it was proximately caused by the September 2005 VA total knee arthroplasty. The issues of entitlement to special monthly compensation for loss of use of the left lower extremity and a TDIU are inextricably intertwined with the issue being remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to evaluate his hypertension and right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, right knee disability, ulcer and upper gastric pain (to include as secondary to cholelithiasis), and fungus infection of the right ear are all granted.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for his left knee status post arthroplasty with degenerative joint disease is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an orthopedic examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and hip disabilities are pending.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining records from SSA, VA treatment records, and any relevant service treatment records. The Veteran will be provided with a cardiology examination to determine if his coronary artery disease began during service or is related to service. He will also be afforded orthopedic examinations for his right and left knee disabilities as well as his neck disability.

The Veteran and the appellant were legally separated for the entire period on appeal prior to August [redacted], 2009, when their divorce became final. The Veteran has been in receipt of service-connected disability ratings for his low back disorder, left knee disorder, irritable bowel syndrome with hiatal hernia, right knee disorder, and left wrist disorder. The appellant was not entitled to an apportionment of the Veteran's VA compensation benefits due to her reasonable discharge of support responsibilities.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to the lack of adequate VA examination reports. The service connection claim for amputation of the left leg below the knee is also inextricably intertwined with the SMC claim.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease and instability have been rated at 10 percent each, effective from the dates of their respective grants of service connection. The current ratings are not higher.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee and chondromalacia and degenerative joint disease of the left knee were denied as his conditions are rated at their maximum allowable under VA regulations.