Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are service-connected, but his respiratory disability is not. The Board found that the respiratory disability was due to a known clinical diagnosis (obstructive sleep apnea) rather than an undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied service connection for a prostate disorder in April 2007 and did not address the right elbow, low back, or left knee issues. The Veteran attempted to reopen his claim of service connection for a prostate disorder but was denied. Service connection for right elbow, low back, and left knee disorders remains unresolved.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and right patellofemoral pain syndrome, finding that these conditions were aggravated by service resulting in current disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the local regional office.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for the issues of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, a back disability (lumbosacral), and a right elbow disability at the Board hearing. The remaining issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for psoriasis is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with a 40% evaluation assigned for fibromyalgia. The effective date remains December 15, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability records. The Veteran should be afforded VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his alleged bilateral knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, and dental disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an examination.

The Veteran's claim for eligibility for the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the etiology of various disabilities claimed by the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for patellofemoral syndrome, right knee is being remanded due to the need for additional development and an opinion regarding the etiology of his current disability.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the final denial of the claim is not new and material, thus denying the application to reopen the claim for service connection for a left knee disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities were denied by the Board. The RO has not assigned a specific disability rating or effective date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the issues related to increased ratings for service-connected disabilities, including TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation, service connection, TDIU, and extraschedular rating were denied. The Board found that the criteria for an increased evaluation of lumbosacral strain with DDD and a history of degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine had not been met, and that there was no evidence of intervertebral disc syndrome or bladder/bowel impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran with a VA orthopedic examination to determine the severity of his bilateral knee disabilities. The issue of TDIU is also raised by the record.

The Board has remanded the case due to unresolved issues regarding service connection for a skin disorder and TDIU. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after these matters are resolved.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, left ear hearing loss, and vertigo have not been found to be related to his active military service.