Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial compensable rating were denied. The left knee conditions are rated at the maximum available, while the eye condition does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the current severity of his right knee, epididymitis, and tinea conditions. The RO/AMC will also consider whether there are any new or material pieces of evidence that could reopen his service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with left leg pain, and service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, sinus disorder, and lung disorder (claimed as tuberculosis and chronic chest pain) were denied. The Veteran was not granted an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with left leg pain prior to October 29, 2009, or a rating in excess of 40 percent since that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, a bilateral knee condition, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, low back pain, and migraine headaches, have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrences that would support the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed bilateral shoulder and knee disorders, which may be related to his service-connected gunshot wound residuals. The Veteran needs to undergo VA examinations for these conditions.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the increased disability rating for service-connected right knee chondromalacia patella.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, finding that service connection was established but not granted for certain conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosed bilateral knee disorder is not related to his period of service and denied both his claim for service connection and his request for a compensable evaluation for left foot disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease. The right leg disability is considered part of the right knee disability and not separately service connected. Service connection was denied for bilateral foot and right knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO via video conference.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for proper notification and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is etiologically related to active duty service. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, remains pending.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU and his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess his ability to work due to service-connected disabilities and obtaining relevant ongoing VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for right knee disability, gout, and hypertension. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his psychiatric and orthopedic disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for the psychiatric disability prior to June 24, 2002, or in excess of 70 percent as of June 24, 2002. For his left and right knee disabilities, the Board found that evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability and for reopening his claim of service connection for a right knee disability as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been rated at 50 percent since July 22, 2005. The VA examiner found that the Veteran had all of the impairment required for a 50 percent rating and significant effects on occupation due to weakness, fatigue, and pain.