Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected right knee disorder is being remanded due to the failure to schedule a VA examination and obtain updated medical records.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis and limitation of motion have been rated as 10 percent disabling since December 9, 2002. The maximum rating available for his DJD has not yet been assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for hair loss disorder (alopecia) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected iron deficiency anemia. The left knee disability and gastrointestinal disability issues remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development due to conflicting medical opinions and inaccurate factual background in previous examinations.

The Veteran's claims for initial higher ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities and TDIU were granted. The right knee disability was rated at 30 percent from August 1, 2006 onwards, the left knee disability at 30 percent from September 1, 2010 onwards, and he is now entitled to a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral knee disability was incurred in military service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of left ear hearing loss due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The remaining issues have been addressed, and the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are evaluated appropriately.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, below the knee amputation on the right, and enucleation of the right eye disabilities are rated at their highest levels. The appeal for increased ratings is denied.

The Board has determined that further development of the evidence is required to comply with VA's duty to assist the Veteran in the development of the facts pertinent to his claims for service connection for left knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as an increased rating for a back disability. The Veteran will be provided another opportunity to submit additional evidence and respond to any supplemental SOC.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of her right knee disability and dermatitis.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of an appendectomy and denied service connection for hypercholesterolemia. The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are still pending issues.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations. The claims for left knee strain, anterior cruciate ligament injury and tendon injury, and respiratory/pulmonary disabilities are inextricably intertwined with the current appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals during a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's total left knee replacement due to osteoarthritis is rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 60 percent, effective from November 10, 2007.

The Veteran's left hip cyst and chronic left knee arthralgia with limitation of motion have been granted service connection.,Service connection for the Veteran's ITP, status post splenectomy, and WPW syndrome is pending.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn for the claim of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for service-connected residuals of prostate cancer prior to December 1, 2009, and in excess of 60 percent thereafter. The remaining claims of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, and entitlement to service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee are addressed.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection of a left knee disability and a higher initial disability evaluation for PTSD. The Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations prior to October 13, 2011 were denied as the evidence did not show limitation of motion or instability that warranted a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent from March 3, 2005 to November 22, 2005, and in excess of 10 percent beginning February 1, 2006, for osteoarthritis of the left knee was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records.