Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were remanded due to the need for further examination. The VA examinations provided adequate findings to rate the disabilities, but no rating was assigned as the appeal is pending.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have begun during his active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The increased rating claims for right knee disability and left knee instability are also granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left knee, lumbar spine, and right hip disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on instability or limitation of motion.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and the claims for plantar fasciitis, bilateral knee disability, and back disability are dismissed due to withdrawal of appeals.

The Veteran's right knee disability was not rated higher than 20 percent, and he received a separate rating for arthritis. His left knee condition did not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has granted increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, gout of the right great toe, and several forms of joint dysfunction. The effective date remains pending as it is not specified in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to evaluate the severity of his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability and right knee injury.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at the Citrus Memorial Hospital on February 25, 2009 was denied as the treatment did not meet the criteria for emergency services.

The Board has determined that the reduction in ratings for postoperative degenerative joint disease of the right knee with limited extension and flexion was proper based on the improvement noted in subsequent medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and to schedule a VA examination. The appellant's claims for service connection for back and bilateral knee disorders are pending.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than April 23, 2009, for the grant of service connection for ligament laxity of the left knee is granted. The effective date is set at February 12, 1992, which is when the Veteran first received service connection for residuals of a medial collateral ligament strain of the left knee.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, left knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are all attributable to service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded to the RO due to new evidence submitted since the last SSOC and to obtain an examination assessing his employability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for clarification of the Veteran's right knee condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disorders are being remanded to allow for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for further consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disorder did not manifest during service and is not causally or etiologically related to his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disability and surgical scar, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current functional impairment.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including arthroplasty and ligament insufficiency, is not rated higher than the current assigned ratings.,The Veteran's right knee strain with degenerative changes and limitation of motion does not warrant a separate rating.