Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disability. Additionally, the claim for TDIU must be addressed in accordance with procedural requirements.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating stems from the March 2010 rating decision that granted entitlement to service connection and assigned an initial evaluation. The Board finds that since March 4, 2008, the objective evidence does not demonstrate slight lateral instability, limitation of extension to 10 degrees, or limitation of flexion to 45 degrees for his right knee disorder.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining service treatment records from the Veteran's recent period of active duty. The appeal will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, status-post right above the knee amputation, as secondary to service-connected status-post left knee arthroplasty. The back disability claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for herniated nucleus pulposus, at L4-5, postoperative and traumatic arthritis, left knee, status post tibial osteotomy are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for hypertension. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sinus disorder, arthritis of the knees, and glaucoma are all considered in light of the evidence presented.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the Veteran's claims for service connection for his right knee, neck, and upper back disorders.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder on secondary basis and granted service connection for left hip disorder. However, service connection for right hip disorder was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart disease, left knee disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of the hands due to issues not being resolved.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to determine the etiology of any current left knee disorder. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for arthritis of the spine will also be readjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a previously scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned for further development and readjudication.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection, disability rating, and overpayment will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's appeal of the June 2006 rating decision denying service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral knee condition was not timely filed, resulting in the denial of his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine DDD and bilateral knee arthritis are related to service, granting the claims for these disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the extent of her service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service. However, further examination is needed to determine if his right shoulder, right foot, and left knee disabilities are also related to his service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current level of impairment due to his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not worsened to the point that he is unable to perform his current job, and the occupation for which he was previously rehabilitated remains suitable given his employment handicap.