Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's right knee disability, including residuals of meniscectomy and arthritis, was rated at 20 percent prior to August 12, 2009. A separate rating for arthritis with limitation of extension was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's aortic stenosis was aggravated during his initial period of active military service and is therefore granted service connection. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish chronic left knee disorder as being incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA joint examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current leg disorders.

The Veteran's claim for increased disability evaluations in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right knee disabilities was denied. The effective dates for the awards were not earlier than January 7, 2005.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the rating decisions made by the RO in May 1968, as the evidence at that time did not support a higher disability rating for the Veteran's shrapnel wounds.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, prostate disorder, arthritis of major joints other than the knees, low back disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or an in-service event that could be linked to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The Board found that the current disability ratings assigned are appropriate.

The Board found no evidence of a current right knee disability and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection. The issue of headaches is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new hearing due to his inability to attend the scheduled videoconference hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal of the December 2009 rating decision denying service connection for bronchovascular markings, left lung, from pneumonia and lung collapse. The claim for right knee condition was granted based on resolving the benefit of doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran did not have chronic disability resulting from an in-service injury. The claim was also denied for osteoarthritis of the left shoulder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disorder is related to his military service, including an injury in March or April 1971. The left knee disorder issue remains pending and will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and an unknown issue regarding sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's left knee instability and TKA were not caused by VA care, but rather the result of her own condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability and whether he experiences subluxation in his right knee. The case will be returned to the Board once this additional evidence has been considered.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability has been productive of painful motion, with flexion limited to 120 degrees at worst and extension limited to 13 degrees at worst. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU remains on appeal due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities. The RO is instructed to arrange for a VA mental disorders examination, obtain any additional evidence, and readjudicate the claim.