Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and determining if certain issues are on appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current right hip or right knee disorders, including whether they are related to service. The case is therefore being remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's scars do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating criteria, as they are considered slight muscle injuries and superficial in nature.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities are not related to his service, as any injuries sustained in service were acute and resolved without residual disability.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and evaluation of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for new VA examinations and additional evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, increased ratings for his degenerative lumbar spine disease and knee conditions, and an initial compensable evaluation for his mood disorder. The claim for a TDIU effective date prior to June 17, 2009 was also addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee DJD was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left TKR, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee arthritis was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling under the rating criteria for limitation of motion. The Board denied an increased rating, finding that the evidence did not show flexion limited to 30 degrees or more.

The Board granted a rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected chondromalacia, left knee, effective October 22, 2002.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized as chronic infrapatellar tendonitis, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that an evaluation in excess of this rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an etiological opinion regarding his right knee and low back disorders.

The Board finds that the Veteran did not timely file a substantive appeal for the denial of service connection for right knee disability, and thus dismisses the appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there is no new and material evidence to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a no-show at the scheduled videoconference hearing. The RO must attempt to obtain VA treatment records from March 2011 to the present and schedule the Veteran for a new videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to address the issues of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, a right knee disability, and a lumbar spine disability were partially granted. The claim for increased rating of the right sciatic nerve disability was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a travel Board hearing as requested by the Veteran. The appeal is not yet decided on its merits.