Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and authorized examination reports. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a skin disorder must also be addressed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical examination and incomplete records. The appellant needs to provide her medical records, including bone scan images, for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of left knee meniscectomy do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, and his left knee degenerative arthritis does not warrant an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's left knee impairment and limitation of motion have been rated at 10 percent since June 10, 2011. The initial rating for the condition remains unchanged.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent before December 1, 2005; 20 percent from December 1, 2005 to December 15, 2011; and 40 percent from December 15, 2011. The Veteran's disability is rated based on limitation of flexion and extension.

The Board has remanded the issues of reopening previously denied claims for service connection for various knee and ankle disabilities, as well as dizziness and headaches. The Veteran is to be scheduled for a new hearing at the RO.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including new examinations and consideration of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including lateral meniscectomy and traumatic arthritis, has been rated based on the current level of impairment. The Veteran received a higher rating for his traumatic arthritis from November 25, 2011, but remains entitled to a separate rating for his lateral meniscectomy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of her claims, including obtaining additional medical records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of her right ankle, right knee, and low back disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing a VA examination to assess his right and left knee disabilities as well as the status-post fracture of his left index finger.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular percentage requirements for a total rating based on individual unemployability, and his employability is precluded due to his multiple service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left foot and left knee disabilities, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to a separate compensable evaluation for left knee instability, finding that there was no abnormal or pathological subluxation or instability of her left knee as indicated by medical evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and right knee arthritis are not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The current disabilities were determined to be due to post-service occupational noise exposure for hearing loss and a history of significant occupational noise exposure after service for right knee arthritis.

The Veteran's death was caused by multiple conditions including congestive heart failure, chronic renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and other health issues. The right knee degenerative joint disorder and subsequent above-the-knee amputation are considered contributory causes of his death.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, right knee, and cervical and lumbar spine disabilities. The decision is mixed as some issues were denied while others are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition was aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including asthma, diabetes mellitus, right elbow disability, numbness in the feet, and left knee disability have been granted. The Veteran also has a 10 percent rating assigned for hypertension.