Knee decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the RO's decision denying service connection for right ankle, hip, and knee disabilities is not final due to incomplete procedures. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's left total knee arthroplasty clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service, did not undergo an increase in severity during service beyond the natural progression of the disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate the severity of the service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran does not have a disability manifested by breathing difficulties that is attributable to active military service. The Board finds the Veteran's allegations of such a disability are not credible.

The Veteran's claimed bilateral knee disorder is found to be due to a current diagnosis of degenerative changes, which pre-dates service and is not related to any injury or disease in service. The Veteran's claimed bilateral ankle disorder has no diagnosed condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to evaluate his service-connected left shoulder, right knee, and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding medical records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including audiometric and orthopedic examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a right knee disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received by the AMC, and the Veteran's request for AOJ review of this evidence.

The Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, particularly his low back disability. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the RO granted service connection and assigned a noncompensable (0 percent) rating for his right knee disability, effective April 11, 2006. Despite the higher initial rating established for the right knee disability, the Veteran has not been awarded the highest possible rating.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further proceedings, including adjudication of the claims on their underlying merits and completion of any additional development deemed necessary.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating, on an extraschedular basis, for his service-connected right knee muscle injury postoperative is being remanded due to insufficient development and lack of substantial compliance with previous Board directives.

The Board found no current medically-diagnosed chronic knee disorder and concluded that the Veteran did not incur a bilateral knee disorder in service or have such disorder as a result of service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The residuals of a fracture of the sternum are currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 7804 or 7801. Service connection was not granted for osteoarthritis of the knees or degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and providing additional opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability evaluation for the left knee instability since June 8, 2011. The Veteran's left knee disability is productive of painful limitation of flexion and extension.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities, including PTSD with alcohol dependence and degenerative joint diseases of the spine, knee, and foot, have rendered him permanently and totally disabled for pension purposes.