Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for the period beginning September 30, 2009. The appeal was denied as his claim did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for chronic depression, but his other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is being remanded due to the need to locate medical records and obtain an etiology opinion based on the evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders are not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a right knee disability, or persistent or recurrent symptoms related to a right knee disability. Therefore, service connection for a right knee disorder is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation and a higher rating for his right wrist injury. The decision is considered to be supported by the evidence at that time.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining treatment records. The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a rating increase are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and providing proper notice.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the increased disability rating for the service-connected residuals of a right knee meniscal tear with degenerative joint disease, currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his current disability levels and determine if service connection can be established for a right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as she withdrew her appeal prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee conditions do not warrant an increased rating as they are currently rated based on limitation of motion, with no additional functional loss or impairment due to other theories of service connection. The claims have been denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be considered on their merits.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent since the surgery, and a temporary total evaluation was granted for convalescence following the surgery. The claim for an increased rating remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left knee disability. The RO should consider separate ratings for limitation of flexion, extension, arthritis, or instability of the knee.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, acid reflux, left and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disorder were denied, while his claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine and right knee disabilities were not addressed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and genitourinary disability were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA standards. The claimant was not shown to have a current hearing loss disability by VA standards in either ear.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is now service-connected. Service connection for low back, right shoulder, and left shoulder disorders remains pending.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for chondromalacia of the right and left knees are being remanded due to a need for further evidentiary development, including an examination to assess current knee disability levels.