Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her right knee disability was granted, with a 20 percent evaluation effective January 23, 2005.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for medical records and a private physician's statement. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with consideration of all received evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including broken teeth, migraine headaches, head injury, dislocated shoulder, hip arthritis, knee arthritis, nose and jaw injuries, diabetes mellitus, thyroid issues, lung problems, throat issues, breathing problems, allergies, gum bleeding, loss of smell/taste, sleep apnea, swallowing problems (dysphagia), blepharitis, ulcers, chronic fatigue syndrome, psychiatric disorders, fear of heights, memory problems, and insomnia are not supported by the evidence.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder increased in severity during service, and whether it is related to his pre-existing condition. The examiner must clarify whether there was a permanent increase in pathology due to service or natural progression of the disease.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder and right knee disorders are not related to his military service, including any injuries sustained during active duty in 1954.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to address the relationship between his current back and knee disorders and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral leg, knee, and foot disabilities. The Board found that his pre-existing bilateral pes planus was not aggravated by any incident during service and there is no competent medical evidence linking current diagnoses to service.

The Veteran's left hip disorder was denied service connection, but his left knee disability received a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's right knee disorder, characterized by degenerative joint disease and a history of arthroscopic meniscectomy, is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5260. The Board finds that the current evaluation adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to May 28, 2010 was denied as he did not meet the schedular or extraschedular criteria for such a rating.

The Veteran's service-connected scars have been rated, and the Board finds that none of them meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The effective date remains unchanged at June 13, 2005.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss of use of one or both feet, nor ankylosis of one or both knees or hips. The appeal is REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's current arthritis of the left ankle, left knee and left shoulder is unrelated to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, pes planus, and right and left knee conditions. The decision also found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claims for pes planus and right and left knee conditions.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right hip, back, knees wrist and feet is not service connected as secondary to his service-connected Reiter's syndrome with conjunctivitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting an increase in special monthly compensation (SMC) based upon the need of aid and attendance.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to his service injury in 1954, and thus denied his claim for service connection.